Resolution In Support of Assisting Undocumented Students

RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF ASSISTING UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS AND OTHERS DUE TO THE REMOVAL OF DACA PROTECTION

SEPTEMBER 25, 2017

Asian Pacific Alumni of UCLA (APA UCLA) is a chapter of the UCLA Alumni Association.

APA UCLA endorses the message of UCLA Chancellor Gene Block condemning the rescission of DACA protections for the approximate 800,000 undocumented young immigrants across the United States and pledging UCLA’s continued support for all UCLA students as well as all other young immigrants adversely affected by the rescission of DACA. Chancellor Block urged continued support to all undocumented students as indicated by UC President Janet Napolitano; and urged Congress to act expeditiously to pass legislation that would fairly protect all undocumented students.

There are an estimated 1.4 million undocumented Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) residents in the U.S., which is 11.4% of the undocumented population. The four largest groups of AAPIs are from India, China, Philippines, and Korea^[1].  Extrapolating from this data, of the purported 800,000 young immigrants receiving DACA protection in the U.S., 11.4% or 91,200 are AAPI and losing their DACA protection. An estimated 16,000 AAPI DACA recipients reside in Southern California.^[2]

UCLA estimates that there were 250 students with DACA in Spring 2017. It is estimated that UCLA has 615 undocumented students of which 148 or 24.1% are AAPI.

APA UCLA believes that there is a need for public education of the AAPI community through press releases and media outreach efforts to underline the adverse impact that the removal of DACA protections would have on thousands of AAPI students and young people who will be subject to possible detention, incarceration, and deportation once DACA protections expire in March 5, 2018.

The AAPI community should take action to urge that Congress expedite the passage of new legislation that will fairly protect these young immigrants from deportation and insure their rights in the U.S. Congress should also extend the current deadline for DACA renewal from the current deadline of October 5, 2017.

Current DACA recipients can renew their status for one final time under current law for three additional years. Due to the imminent deadline: Immediate focus is needed to help those with DACA protection to renew their status by filing a renewal application and paying their $ 495.00 fee by the last deadline of October 5, 2017.  Groups like Advancing Justice – LA are providing free renewal application assistance to eligible DACA recipients.

Since many of those seeking renewal of their DACA status cannot afford the renewal fee, and trained staff must help fill out these applications, APA UCLA urges its alumni members, the Bruin family, friends and the AAPI community to make a donation to the Wesley Foundation’s 580 Cafe or Undocumented Students Program. Donations will fund DACA renewal assistance and application fees. Please make a donation to the 580 Cafe at http://www.wfsucla.org/ or to the Undocumented Student Program at https://giving.ucla.edu/undocumented no later than September 30, 2017.

Signed,

^[1] In the Shadows of the Ivory Tower: Undocumented Undergraduates and ….,  by Institute for Immigration, Globalization & Education, UCLA, 2011

^[2] Data,  Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Los Angeles, 2017