California Relay for Education Teach-In Manual Arts High School August 14, 2008

1. California Relay for Education Teach-InManual Arts High SchoolAugust 14, 2008

2. Right to Education Everyone has the right to education. Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article 26.

3. Right to Education Right of everyone to education Education should work to increase the respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

5. Undocumented Students The term “undocumented” groups all students who are not born in the U.S. and are not permanent residents, or have student visas. Unauthorized immigrants, temporary asylum beneficiaries, people who overstayed their visas. The vast majority of these students, however, did not choose their status.

6. Around 65,000 undocumented students graduate from U.S. high schools each year. About 40% of those students are from California. Given their immigration status, the majority of these students will face strong hardships to get their college degrees. There is no currently existing legalization process that acknowledges undocumented college students. The Issue:

8. Politics: How we got to this point? How we got to this point: 1982: Plyler v. Doe 1986: Leticia a v. UC regents & CSU board of regents. 1991: Bradford v. UC regents 1996: IIRIRA - Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act 2001: Out-of-state tuition exemption for California high school students (AB540) 2006: Institutionalized aid for AB540 students (vetoed)

9. undocumented students representing at May 1st Rally 2006

10. What is AB540? • AB540 was signed into law in California on October of 2001 • AB540 applies to California colleges, and public universities • AB540 applies to students that meet the necessary requirements • Allows students to pay in-state tuition, same as any California resident. • Similar laws extend to states such as: WA, UT, NE, KS, OK, TX, NM, NY, y IL

11. Three years at a CA high school. Valid high school diploma or equivalent (GED) Signed affidavit presented to the school of enrollment. What does it mean?

12. What is an Affidavit? Contract between school and students Student states he or she will apply for legal residency when given the chance Student’s privacy protected by federal law under Educational Rights and Privacy Act Submit along with official high school transcripts

13. Tuition Expenses

14. Don’t be Sccurred! The impact of Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 Privacy of student records and his/her records The UC affidavit as a legal, secret document at the university You have Privacy Rights!

15. Immigration Status Concerns Questions regarding naturalization or legalization procedures should be directly addressed with a credible, affordable lawyer, or law professional.

16. Scholarships • Scholarship providers have their own eligibility requirements. Make sure to obtain current information by contacting each provider directly. • Use an ITIN (will be further explained) • Scholarship monies are limited. Do not rely heavily on these.

17. Scholarships • Begin looking for scholarships as early as possible. Search within your school, school district and local community. • Find creative ways to fund your education (i.e. ask family members, teachers, local business or large companies) • Network. Get to know current AB540 support groups in high school, community and the college you will be attending.

18. ITIN Number ( Individual Tax Identification Number) • ITIN numbers can be used on various forms, but does not replace SSN#! To get an ITIN: • Prove you are a foreigner • Prove you currently live in the U.S. • Need 2 forms of ID (i.e. school ID, national ID- matricula)

20. California DREAM Act Would grant InstitutionalFinancial Aid to undocumented students in California: (loans, grants, scholarships) Senate Bill 1301 Assembly Bill 2083

21. The Federal DREAM Act Congress introduction Legal stipulations Conditional Permanent Residence Provides Path to Legalization for students

23. The studentpsyche “My family’s status has also affected the way I make goals and how high I allow mysef to dream.” “As a documented student, I want to fight so that all students have the right to higher education” “I find that my days are exhausting, but I know that the harsh sacrifices that I make today will yield a better future for myself and my loved ones.” “my life as a student has been difficult due to the fact that I am an illegal alien. It was difficult finding people who understood my situation.”

24. Top 10 talking points • You are not alone. • Deceiving cost numbers. • Scholarships are out there. • Education is in your best interest. • The path is not always clear. • Hard work is more rewarding. • Prepare your family. • Be resourceful. • Be persistent. • Don’t be afraid to expose yourself.

26. How to get involved! Participate in the Power & Unity Coalition breakfast held every 2nd Friday of the month. Contact Ana Grande at ana@powerpac.org Print the petition sheet at and get 15 of your friends to do the samehttp://cadreamact.org/assets/GeneralPetitionSheet.pdf Make calls to your CA Representative in SUPPORT of the CA Dream Act

27. How to get involved! Have your local churches, organizations, businesses, and chamber of commerce sign the letter of support. Sign the Online-Petition : http://www.petitiononline.com/SB1301/petition.html Join CHIRLA On-line. Get action alerts, information, and news: http://www.chirla.org/

28. How To Get Involved! • Submit your own video testimonial urging the Governor to sign the California Dream Act . Log onto You Tube and check out other submissions http://youtube.com/user/TheCADreamActNOW • Spread the word! Knowledge is Power. • Tell your family, friends, neighbors what you learned!!! • Make Change!!!

29. How To Get Involved! • Start your own AB540 club on campus • Start your own Human Rights Club • Join us on MySpace or Facebook! Resources @ MAHS campus: • SCGA Student Coalition • Human Rights Club

30. See You In College!!!

31. Q&A