Undocumented, First-Generation College and Low-Income Student (U-FLi) Center

DACA and General Q&A

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DACA and General Q&A

Below are anticipated questions regarding Brown's approach to supporting undocumented and other liminal status students at Brown.

1. What does the DACA rescission mean for students at Brown now? What support is offered currently?

The most important thing for students at Brown to know is that the University is committed to supporting them legally, financially, personally and academically, recognizing that every individual’s situation is distinct and different.

First and foremost, students should register any particular concerns with Julio Reyes, U-FLi Center Director, who can engage the appropriate individuals throughout the University to address specific issues. Below is a list of resources that the University is providing immediately:

DACA Renewal: Right now, the University recommends that students who are eligible to renew their DACA authorization should apply for renewal as soon as possible. The University will cover the costs of the application fee and related attorney consultation. Please contact U-FLi Center Program Director Julio Reyes for more information (Julio_Reyes@brown.edu).

Legal Support: The University will support students’ accessing legal consultation, and believe that students should exercise agency in choosing an attorney that they trust. Students should contact U-FLi Center Director, Julio Reyes, for a list of outside attorneys who practice immigration law. Funding for undergraduate students to support an initial consultation will be processed in consultation with Associate Dean of the College for Financial Advising Shannon DeLuca (Shannon_Boutin@brown.edu).

Health and Wellness: We recognize that this is a highly stressful period for students affected by these changes and the uncertainty they present. Brown has enhanced Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) resources, including increasing the diversity of the health professionals to ensure a depth of relevant experience. To access general mental health and wellness support, please contact CAPS at 863-3476 for urgent needs or email counseling@health.brown.edu to schedule an appointment. Undocumented and DACA students seeking a specific point person in CAPS should contact U-FLi Center Director Julio Reyes.

Undergraduate Financial Aid: The University is committed to meeting the full demonstrated financial need of undergraduate students and will work directly with students should their circumstances change if they lose their DACA and work authorization. Undergraduate students should contact Director of Financial Aid Melanie Neves to determine what changes could occur to their financial aid award. Students can also consult with U-FLi Center Director Julio Reyes.

2. What will this decision mean for students if the DACA program is fully phased out?

3. What fellowships and co-curricular opportunities are available to undergraduate undocumented students who do not have an active work permit?

4. What is the University’s policy regarding law enforcement and immigration status?

5. What should a do if they are approached on or off campus by immigration officials?

6. What should a Brown employee do if they are approached by law enforcement for information about a member of the Brown community?

7. What current federal legislation is pending related to immigration reform?

8. Who are the primary point persons on campus prepared to serve as resources to DACA and undocumented students?

The primary point of contact for undocumented and DACA enrolled students is the professional staff of the U-FLi Center (Director Julio Reyes or Assistant Director Valeria Chavez-Ayala), who are knowledgeable about the full range of issues that confront these students and can access relevant resources across the University to support a full range of needs. Below is a listing of individuals who are particularly knowledgeable about immigrant and undocumented student concerns. These individuals are closely connected through a network of support and are careful to maintain student privacy in discussing sensitive issues.

Office / Topics	Liaison
Graduate School / doctoral students’ issues and concerns related to their academic experience	Alycia Mosley Austin / Associate Dean of Diversity and Inclusion
Warren Alpert Medical School / medical student issues and concerns related to their academic experience	Joseph Diaz / Associate Dean for Diversity and Multicultural Affairs
School of Public Health	Caroline Kuo, Associate Dean of Diversity and Inclusion Jai-Me Potter-Rutledge, Program Manager for Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives
Student Support Services / personal and life concerns for undergraduate students	Christopher Lujan, Co-Interim Director & Associate Dean
Financial Advising and E-Gap / emergency funding support for undergraduate students	Shannon DeLuca, Dean of the College
Office of the Chaplains and Religious Life / confidential personal and multifaith spiritual support for students and their families	TBD
Center for Career Exploration / career development advising	Amy Tarbox, Associate Director of Career Counseling (Campus Partnerships)
Swearer Center for Public Service/ summer opportunities	TBD

Learn More About the Undocumented Student Program

Prospective Students

Information for prospective undergraduate, graduate and medical students.

Financial Matters

Learn about DACA renewal, Financial Aid and additional financial support.

Career Development: Fellowships and Internships

The College offers a number of fellowships, research and career path opportunities that are available to all undergraduate students, regardless of citizenship status.

Students should also schedule an appointment with the professional staff of the U-FLi Center for guidance or support.

Brown University's response to the 2017 DACA repeal

On September 5, 2017, the Trump Administration announced that it would rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, and outlined steps it would take through March 5, 2018 to phase it out. The announcement included the following important information:

Current DACA and related employment authorization will remain valid until their expiration date.
No new, first-time DACA applications will be accepted for processing if submitted after September 5, 2017. Pending applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Applications for renewal of DACA issuances and work permits with expiration dates between September 5, 2017 and March 5, 2018 are being accepted, and must be submitted by October 5, 2017. (NOTE: DACA issuances and work permits that expire after March 5, 2018, will lapse on the expiration date. They will not accept applications for renewal for those with expiration dates after March 5, 2018.)
Effective September 5, 2017, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will no longer grant DACA recipients permission to travel abroad through “Advance Parole.” Any pending applications for advance parole will not be processed and DHS will refund any associated fees.

This action to rescind the DACA program has been challenged in the courts and was considered by the US Supreme Court in June. A decision was made on June 18th 2020 stating that the Trump administration’s termination of DACA was (1) judicially reviewable and (2) done in an arbitrary and capricious way that violated federal law.

Students, please contact the U-FLi Center staff if you have any questions or would like to discuss the implications of the recent decision.

Actions Taken at Brown

At the time of the Trump administration’s action, President Christina Paxson, Provost Richard Locke and Vice President for Campus Life and Student Services Eric Estes issued a statement condemning this action. The University has taken a number of steps to advocate for legislation that would reinstate the protections offered by the DACA program and ensure the fair and just treatment of the thousands of individuals affected by this policy change, and the opportunity for the nation to benefit fully through their full, legal engagement.

Brown University has recommitted support for undocumented and DACA enrolled students. This includes adhering to the policy adopted by the University in September 2016, to consider undocumented and DACA enrolled students as domestic students, and ensuring first-time, first-year undergraduate applicants who hold undocumented or DACA status and graduate from a U.S. high school are considered under the University’s need-blind admission policy, and meeting 100 percent of the demonstrated financial need of those who matriculate.

Brown has also enhanced support provided through the Undocumented, First-Generation College and Low-Income Student Center (U-FLi Center) to ensure that these promising and talented students are able to thrive and contribute fully to the University community.