Support for Undocumented Students at Yale
Yale is extremely proud of its strong commitment to a diverse community, equal opportunity, and accessibility to all candidates from any part of the world, regardless of citizenship. There is a network of support at Yale University to help and support DACA and undocumented students, including access to experts, lawyers and financial support. Yale’s Office of International Students & Scholars (OISS) is one place to start and can refer you to other campus resources (see below). For more information, please contact Ozan Say.
In all of our schools, we extend our admissions policies and holistic application review to all students without regard to citizenship or immigration status. Students interested in applying for undergraduate studies will find more information on the Yale Admissions website. Students interested in graduate study should refer to the admissions information on the respective schools’ site.
Yale University’s financial aid policies are the same for undocumented (with or without DACA) students, as they are for all admitted students. For all undergraduates with financial need, our aid awards meet 100% of a family's demonstrated need without using loans. Consult the Yale College Financial Aid website for details. Information about graduate school financial aid is available on the respective schools’ site.
Students with DACA and a valid EAD (USCIS-issued employment authorization document) will be able to work on-campus. Students without DACA should contact their financial aid officer to review their aid award.
The Yale International Tax Office will assist you in determining your U.S. tax resident status. If it is found, based on the amount of time you have been present in the U.S., that you are a resident for tax purposes, the 14% withholding for international students would not be required. Make an appointment with the International Tax Office when you first arrive on campus to ensure your withholdings are correct.
DACAmented students with Advanced Parole have been able to study abroad. For information about the process of applying for Advance Parole to the USCIS DACA FAQ page (questions 58-65). International travel under DACA is possible but can be tricky. It is advisable to consult with OISS or legal counsel well in advance of making any plans to leave the U.S.
Yale students are encouraged to use the resources of the Office of Career Strategy (OCS), or the relevant professional school career office, to explore the internship and post-graduation possibilities. OCS staff is available to talk with students about graduate school and professional school programs. For information about fellowships to support summer and post-graduation activities for Yale College students, contact Rebekah Westphal at the Center for International and Professional Experience. Post-graduation Yale employment for undocumented and DACAmented students continues to be governed by the validity of the EAD card and available only to DACAmented students.
DACA students with a valid EAD card may apply for most internships and programs, except those few that require U.S. citizenship. Undocumented students, without DACA and a valid EAD, only qualify for summer fellowships that are not considered compensation for employment. For internships outside U.S. see the FAQs under Study Abroad. Consult the CIPE website for details.
OISS coordinates assists Yale undocumented students in making the legal connection needed to resolve immediate concerns, including applying for an extension of DACA status, as well as address longer term issues. These conversations will take place with strict regard for your privacy and at no point will your information be shared without your permission. For more information contact ozan.say@yale.edu.
Renewing DACA Status
Yale students and staff interested in renewing their DACA status are strongly advised to consult with an immigration attorney before taking any action. Yale will continue to make legal consultations available which will be arranged through OISS.
Questions?
Yale faculty and staff with questions about undocumented and DACAmented students, or DACA in general, are also invited to contact contact OISS.
DACA in the Federal Agencies and the Courts
The legislative and ligation updates for DACA span many years and continue to evolve and change. Below are links to websites that maintain reliable and current information:
Develop a Family Preparedness Plan
To assist families with concerns about immigration enforcement and potential deportation or detainment of guardians, the Connecticut Governor's Office has developed a free toolkit. This toolkit does not require attorneys or court action. It also emphasizes the importance of creating a family preparedness plan to alleviate stress in uncertain situations. Although we hope that the plan will never be needed, having one can help mitigate unexpected stress.
Selected Resources
Campus Resources
National Resources
- CT Students for a Dream
- Educators for Fair Consideration (E4FC)
- National Immigration Law Center
- National Immigration Services Directory (lists non-profit organizations that offer free or low-cost immigration legal services)
- United We Dream (UWD)
- Beyond Deferred Action: Long-Term Immigration Remedies Every Undocumented Young Person Should Know About
- Pre-Health Dreamers
USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) Resources
- Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
- DACA Litigation Information and Frequently Asked Questions
