Student Support Services for Undocumented, DACA & ASSET

“Advocating for our students is a privilege we inherit from those who built this university, a role in which we take great pride, and a responsibility from which we shall not turn away despite the complexity of any situation that may face us.” ~ Dr. Tony Frank, CSU Chancellor

FAQ: Advising DACA Clients in 2022

Please see PDF from Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. March 3, 2022, summarizing the rules and clarifying what the Texas II injunction means for current and past DACA recipients as well as those eligible for DACA who had not yet filed initial applications, or had a pending initial application, as of July 16, 2021.

FAQ-Advising DACA Clients in 2022

Undocumented Students – CSU is strongly committed to the academic and personal success of all CSU students. We have trained staff members to help answer questions, navigate the admissions process, assist with application forms, and much more. Please see department websites or call for more information.

  • Admissions – We welcome undocumented students to Colorado State and have compiled resources to help undocumented students with their college transition. Contact Pricilla Gardea at 970- 491-6454, email: Priscilla.Gardea@colostate.edu, or visit our website at http://admissions.colostate.edu/undocumented-students/.
  • Career Advice – The Career Services Committee to Support Students who are Undocumented has created a document with advice and career support personnel for students exploring career options.
    Questions, contact Amy Cailene at the Career Center at (970)492-4897. Career Advice for Students who are Undocumented
  • Financial Aid – CSU has a designated financial aid specialist who can help you understand your eligibility and potential sources of support. Contact at (970) 491-6321, email: FinancialAid@colostate.edu  or our website at http://admissions.colostate.edu/2017/03/09/undocumented-financial-aid/.
  • Health Services – CSU Health Network’s Counseling Services is a safe space for all students who are feeling marginalized or impacted by political related stress and would like to talk about their experiences and reactions.  Visit us in our new location on the corner of College Avenue and Prospect; entrance at 151 West Lake Street or our website at: https://health.colostate.edu/about-counseling-services/.
  • Student Legal Services – CSU Students can schedule a free confidential appointment through CSU Student Legal Services in the Lory Student Center, Room 284, or call 970-491-1482.
  • CSU Student Legal Services contracts with two experienced immigration attorneys from the community, Cristina Steele-Kaplan and Penny Gonzales-Soto, to advise undocumented and international students in the area of immigration law. They provide individual, confidential advisements on campus approximately one day per month during fall and spring semesters.  In urgent situations and special circumstances, a phone consultation on non-scheduled days may be available. There is no charge to students. To get on the schedule for these attorneys, come in person to Student Legal Services, Room 284 of the Lory Student Center or call 970-491-1482.
  • RamCard – The RamCard is your student ID card and serves as your ticket to just about everything at Colorado State University.  Students may request a RamCard after they are admitted and register for the current semester.  Contact Martha Perrotin at 970-491-5188, or martha.perrotin@colostate.edu, for guidance about the steps for getting your RamCard.

Immigrant Students – Colorado State University remains committed to the immigrants within our community. We will continue to support you in any way we can, to keep you informed, and to promote international friendship and educational exchange.

International Students – Colorado State University remains committed to the thousands of international students and scholars. We have welcomed international students to campus since the 1890s. The intellectual, cultural, and personal contributions you make to campus are incalculable.

The full extent of the changing activities of ICE and CBP are still unknown and we encourage all individuals to take great care and precaution when traveling. Recent events have included ICE officials checking paperwork at airports on domestic flights. Current advice includes:
  • Carry DACA paperwork/documents with you at all times
  • Have a local immigration attorney’s phone number with you at all times
  • Avoid any scenario where law enforcement or ICE could get involved
  • Cliniclegal.org has “Know Your Rights” information that you should print and carry with you
  • ilrc.org (search Red Card) also discusses “Know Your Rights” and has a card  you may print and carry

Bennet Statement on President’s Decision to End DACA

U.S. SENATOR MICHAEL BENNET Member: Agriculture, HELP, and Finance Committees FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Samantha Slater – 202-510-7014 Tuesday, September 5, 2017 Washington, D.C. – Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet today issued the following statement regarding President Trump’s decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program: “Today’s announcement is a devastating betrayal for the hundreds of thousands of individuals who have used the security of DACA status to receive an education, pursue careers, and safely put down roots in their communities,” Bennet said. “This decision is the height of cruelty: It’s an attempt to score political points by separating families and disrupting schools and workplaces. The President has revealed his priorities and values; in response, bipartisan leaders in business, education, and local government around the country have spoken up in defense of DACA. Congress must work together to find a legislative solution to protect DREAMers.” On July 27, Bennet and his Democratic colleagues sent a letter to President Trump urging him to use his executive authority to protect DACA. In 2016, Bennet filed a Congressional amicus brief to the Supreme Court in support of DAPA and DACA+. Bennet also was a member of the Gang of Eight, a group of bipartisan senators that drafted and secured passage of comprehensive immigration reform in the U.S. Senate in 2013.

Association of Public Land-Grant Universities

Latest on DACA and Next Steps

From:  Peter McPherson, APLU President Date:  September 5, 2017 As you probably know, U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced this morning that the Trump administration will immediately cease accepting new applications for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and will soon discontinue renewals. Following the announcement, I issued a statement expressing concern about the impact of this decision and calling on congressional leadership to, at a minimum, quickly codify DACA protections into law. My statement echoes the letter I sent congressional leadership this weekend, urging Congress to quickly pass legislation at least extending the current DACA program. I urge you to reach out to your congressional delegations to support such a legislative solution and press them to push the House and Senate leadership to bring legislation to the floor for a vote. Many of you support going further than DACA so that these young people can receive either longer periods of deferred status and/or a path to citizenship.  APLU is supportive of these broader efforts and has spoken out strongly in favor of them in the past.  However, in this case, with the clock ticking on the DACA program we want to make sure Congress passes legislation quickly and isn’t hampered by debates over broader issues.  Washington can get tied into knots so easily and there is bipartisan support for DACA.  That is why we explicitly urge Congress to approve legislation that would, at a minimum, codify DACA.  If there is the political will to go further than DACA then we would gladly welcome it, but we want to be clear to Congress that our number one priority right now is to make sure the deferred protection and work authorization afforded through the DACA program continue uninterrupted.  We also want to ensure additional young people can apply for those provisions as well. As you know, DACA provides temporary protected status and work authorization to young undocumented immigrants who were brought to the United States as minors. The Trump administration’s new policy will have several impacts on DACA-eligible and DACA-enrolled individuals. First, current enrollees will retain the protections afforded to them under DACA until their two-year enrollment expires. Second, DACA participants whose enrollment expires by March 5, 2018 will be considered for renewal if they complete their renewal application by October 5, 2017. Finally, no new applications for DACA status will be considered.  The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has created a fact sheet as well as a frequently asked questions document with further details. The administration said it doesn’t intend to target young immigrants as priorities for deportation except in cases in which it believes national security makes such action necessary. Even so, all DACA enrollees would technically be subject to deportation once their DACA permit expires. In addition to uncertainty about whether these young people might be deported, the loss of DACA status would mean they wouldn’t be able to legally work in the United States to support themselves and their families.  For DACA students on your campuses, this means they couldn’t legally earn money to pay their way through college. All the complications associated with the termination of the DACA program make it imperative for Congress to quickly step in and use the legislative process to, at a minimum, codify the DACA program into law.

Educators for Fair Considertion

Educators for Fair Consideration (E4FC)

With news swirling over the past few days about threats to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) program, E4FC would like to share some resources to help you follow the latest news and engage in urgent advocacy efforts. Click here for more details.
  • more events to come….

The information below is meant to provide further guidance and support to our students and staff. Responses to the below questions are informational only and do not constitute legal advice. Links to local and national immigration resources and CSU services are incorporated in the appropriate responses.

Immigrant Legal Resource Center (irlc) – End of DACA

On September 5, 2017 President Trump announced that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program would be phased out over two and a half years. This means that, as of September 5, 2017:

  • All pending INITIAL DACA applications ACCEPTED as of September 5, 2017 will be processed.
  • All other new INITIAL DACA applications will be rejected.
  • All pending RENEWAL DACA applications ACCEPTED as of September 5, 2017 will be processed.
  • RENEWAL DACA applications received by October 5, 2017 will be accepted and processed only for cases where DACA expires between September 5, 2017 and March 5, 2018, inclusive.
  • DACA recipients whose DACA already expired before September 5, 2017 are no longer eligible to renew.
  • All DACA recipients may still file to replace (not renew) a lost, stolen, or destroyed EAD by filing

Form I-765.

  • All INITIAL and RENEWAL DACA applications received after October 5, 2017 will be rejected.

More details are available in an ILRC community advisory, DHS’s memorandum, and DHS’s Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document on the end of DACA.

On September 7, 2017, the ILRC held a webinar explaining the effect of the new announcement. This community advisory contains the Frequently Asked Questions from that webinar.

Please see attached pdfs for more information and translations.

What does it mean to be undocumented?

There are a few ways that someone can become undocumented:

  • Entered the U.S. Legally and immigration status has since expired
  • Entered the U.S. without inspection
  • Submitted immigration application/petition is denied and continued to remain in the U.S.
  • Lived in the U.S. for most of their lives but lack a way to become a legal resident or citizen of the U.S.

Can I attend CSU if I am undocumented?

Yes. CSU is committed to providing a high quality education to all qualified students, regardless of background – including citizenship status.

As an undocumented student, what is my tuition status at CSU?

State legislation under Senate Bill 13-033 (ASSET) allows CSU to grant in-state tuition classification to undocumented students through the ASSET (Advancing Students for a Stronger Economic Tomorrow) program. To be considered, Colorado students must complete and submit the institutional ASSET eligibility form as well as the statewide College Opportunity Fund (COF) application.  For additional information visit the Admissions Office website at: http://admissions.colostate.edu/applying-to-csu/.

As an undocumented student can I have access to institutional aid and/or private donor scholarships?

Yes. Although you do not have access to federal financial aid, you do have access to institutional aid and private donor scholarships if you meet eligibility requirements. A designated financial aid specialist can help you with understanding eligibility and potential sources of support. Please visit the CSU Office of Admissions for information: http://admissions.colostate.edu/2017/03/09/undocumented-financial-aid/.

Will CSU share my immigration status with federal immigration officials?

Your personal information is safe. CSU will not release or share student information with federal immigration officials. The information you share with us about yourself and about your family is protected by the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Has CSU joined the national call in support of DACA students?

Yes. Dr. Frank is one of more than 500 committed institutional leaders across the country who signed a statement offering to meet with U.S. leaders to uphold, continue and expand DACA in support of our students. For more information, go to pomona.edu/news/2016/11/21-college-university-presidents-call-us-uphold-and-continue-daca.

What should I do if I feel I have been the victim of discrimination or harassment?

If you feel you are experiencing discrimination or harassment on campus, you may schedule a meeting with a member of the Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) team to discuss concerns, rights, and how to file complaints. For more information, go to http://oeo.colostate.edu/.

If you have witnessed or experienced an act of violence, contact the CSU Police Department at https://police.colostate.edu/.

What other support services are available on campus to students experiencing depression or post-election concerns or anxiety?

CSU provides numerous support services for our students and staff, including counseling, advocacy and other supports. For more information, please see a list of our campus resources at:

As an undocumented student, why should I stay in school? 

CSU wants you here and will support you through degree completion. You are an important resource to our institution, our community, and communities throughout Colorado. While none of us yet know what immigration, employment or other policies will emerge from the Trump administration, you need to know that a college degree holds value throughout the world. Finish your degree with us and allow us to serve as your advocate today and as you prepare for your future career.

What should I do if I want to understand my immigration rights? 

Seek advice and guidance about immigration status and how you can pursue your legal rights from reputable immigration attorneys. Along with links to national resources provided above, you can seek an immigration attorney from the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) at ailalawyer.org/ (English) or ailalawyer.org/spanish/default.aspx.

CSU Students may schedule a free confidential appointment with an immigration attorney through CSU Student Legal Services.

Schedule directly with SLS: Room 284 of the Lory Student Center; 970-491-1482.

Immigration advice is provided by two Northern Colorado immigration attorneys, who come to campus one day per month: Penny Gonzales-Soto and Cristina Steele-Kaplan. You must schedule with Student Legal Services in advance. Advice for undocumented students or students concerned about undocumented family members is available. Get accurate answers from these experienced and compassionate attorneys.

For U.S. citizenship or additional resources please see below:

The Principles of Community support the Colorado State University mission and vision of access, research, teaching, service and engagement. A collaborative, and vibrant community is a foundation for learning, critical inquiry, and discovery.  Therefore, each member of the CSU community has a responsibility to uphold these principles when engaging with one another and acting on behalf of the University.

Los Principios de Comunidad proveen apoyo a la misión y visión de acceso, investigación, enseñanza, servicio,  participación de Colorado State University. Una comunidad colaborativa y vibrante es el fundamento para el aprendizaje, la indagación crítica y el descubrimiento. Por lo tanto, cada miembro de la comunidad de CSU tiene la responsabilidad de salvaguardar estos principios cuando colaboren unos con otros y cuando actúa en nombre de la Universidad.

Inclusion: We create and nurture inclusive environments and welcome, value and affirm all members of our community, including their various identities, skills, ideas, talents, and contributions.

Inclusión: Creamos y nutrimos ambientes inclusivos y acogemos, valoramos y afirmamos a todos los miembros de nuestra comunidad, incluyendo sus variadas identidades, destrezas, ideas, talentos y contribuciones.

Integrity: We are accountable for our actions and will act ethically and honestly in all our interactions.

Integridad: Somos responsables por nuestras acciones y nos comportaremos ética y honestamente en todas nuestras interacciones.

Respect: We honor the inherent dignity of all people within an environment where we are committed to freedom of expression, critical discourse, and the advancement of knowledge.

Respeto: Honramos la dignidad inherente de todas las personas dentro de un ambiente en el cual nos comprometemos a la libertad de expresión, al discurso crítico, y al avance del conocimiento.

Service:  We are responsible, individually and collectively, to give of our time, talents, and resources to promote the well-being of each other and the development of our local, regional, and global communities.

Servicio: Somos responsables, individual y colectivamente, a dar de nuestro tiempo, talentos, y recursos para promover el bienestar de cada cual y del desarrollo de nuestra comunidad local, regional, y global.

Social Justice: We have the right to be treated and the responsibility to treat others with fairness and equity, the duty to challenge prejudice, and to uphold the laws, policies and procedures that promote justice in all respects.

Justicia Social: Tenemos el derecho a ser tratados, y la responsabilidad de tratar a otros con equidad y, el deber de desafiar el prejuicio, y de salvaguardar las leyes, políticas y procedimientos que promueven la justicia en todos los sentidos.

Immigrant Rights

Talk to an immigration services provider Make a child care and family preparedness plan Figure out which documents you should and should not carry Make

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April 14, 2023

Higher Ed Immigration Portal

A new digital platform that integrates data, policies, and resources about DACA and undocumented, other immigrant, international, and refugee students to support immigration reform and

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April 11, 2023

Fee Updates

New United States Citizenship and Immigration Services fees announced today, details here. DACA fees did not increase.

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July 31, 2020
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