{"id":1076,"date":"2022-08-15T00:44:16","date_gmt":"2022-08-15T05:44:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/?page_id=1076"},"modified":"2025-07-09T14:21:10","modified_gmt":"2025-07-09T19:21:10","slug":"undocumented-daca-students","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/identity-resources\/undocumented-daca-students\/","title":{"rendered":"Undocumented + DACA Students"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The Smith Center recognizes and honors that many students may face unique familial, financial, and\/or personal barriers in the study abroad\/away process.\u00a0 The Smith Center strives to remove as many barriers as possible.\u00a0 We are also committed to being realistic about the options for students who do not hold a US passport, including those who are undocumented, refugee students, and students who are US permanent residents or Green Card holders.\u00a0 We realize a student\u2019s citizenship status is protected.\u00a0 We strongly encourage all students interested in studying abroad\/away to meet with the Smith Center<\/a> for a private conversation about their immigration status.\u00a0 Where possible, the Smith Center can support students to obtain proper travel documentation and immigration resources for their abroad\/away program.<\/p>\n

DACA students are eligible to study abroad\/away through the\u00a0U.S Department of Homeland Security Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals\u00a0<\/i>order.\u00a0 Students traveling for educational purposes can be granted\u00a0advance-parole<\/a>\u00a0to enable them to study abroad\/away. Although students can be granted permission to leave the country, there are many things to consider when choosing to study abroad\/away. Students traveling on a non-US passport will have unique opportunities and challenges during their study abroad\/away experience(s).\u00a0 We recognize there may be policy changes.\u00a0 Please consult the\u00a0U.S Department of Homeland Security<\/i><\/a>\u00a0for the most up-to-date information.<\/p>\n

IMPORTANT NOTE:\u00a0Florida 1718<\/a> went into effect on July 1, 2023, restricting the ability of undocumented individuals to live and work in Florida.\u00a0 Undocumented students should be aware of the Florida law and its implications if they intended study away there for January Term or semester\/year.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/figcaption>\n\t\n<\/figure>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Does a domestic or international program make the most sense?\u00a0 Does study abroad\/away\u00a0fit into your academic plan? Talk with your academic advisor and support network at St. Olaf to ensure you will receive enough credits to graduate and that the program fits into your academic plan.\u00a0 Meet with your academic advisor and St. Olaf program advisor to discuss requirements for your major, minor, and concentration.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n

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Traveling can be challenging and overwhelming, especially if you are the first to do it in your family.\u00a0 Talk with other Oles who have studied on your program(s) of interest to gather advice, tools, and other resources you will need while abroad\/away.\u00a0 Find people on and off campus that will support your decision to study abroad\/away (i.e. family, peers, friends, legal representatives, academic advisor, provider, etc.).\u00a0 The Smith Center can provide you with resources and support before, during and after your study abroad\/away program.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n

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Do you have a passport?\u00a0 If not, do you have the proper documents to obtain your passport?\u00a0 What is the validity of your current documents?\u00a0 When do the documents expire?\u00a0 Do you have a Social Security Number or proof of citizenship to study\u00a0internationally?<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n

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For DACA students, advance-parole\u00a0must be granted before<\/b>\u00a0leaving the United States to study abroad.\u00a0 Traveling with the \u201cissue date\u201d and return date is important.\u00a0 What does this process look like?\u00a0 How long will it take?\u00a0 This process can take 9 months.\u00a0 You will need to plan ahead.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n

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You will continue to receive St. Olaf financial aid if you study on an approved Smith Center program and will automatically be considered for a\u00a0St. Olaf Study Abroad\/Away Scholarship<\/a>.\u00a0 There will be additional costs to consider (visas, meals, transportation costs, etc.).\u00a0 We encourage you to meet with a Smith Center Advisor<\/a>\u00a0and the\u00a0Financial Aid Office<\/a>\u00a0to discuss costs, scholarships available to you and aid.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n

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What are the immigration policies in your home country and host country?\u00a0 What is the current political climate between these two countries?\u00a0 How might governmental policies change in the coming months as you plan and study abroad\/away?\u00a0 What documentation will you need to be able to return to the U.S.?<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n

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What documents will you need to be able to enter your host country and re-enter the U.S.?\u00a0 Will you need a visa?\u00a0 Become familiar with visa process if applicable \u2013 What is the visa process for the host country? Can you apply for a visa from the United States?\u00a0 In some cases processing time for travel documents can be delayed with consulates and embassies.\u00a0 Allow for extra time to process your travel documents.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n

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Advance-parole<\/a>\u00a0does not guarantee entry\/re-entry into the United States. Students who choose to apply for Advance Parole must acknowledge the difficulty and risk involved in the process (risks include: re-entry not guaranteed, immigration changes while abroad, may be deemed inadmissible for reasons unknown at the border, etc.).\u00a0 An immigration attorney can also help to advise you and your family.\u00a0 It can be tricky to reenter the United States or return home if regulations and policies have changed.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t

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Helpful Links<\/strong><\/h4>\n

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services<\/a>
\nNAFSA \u2013 DACA Student Resource Page<\/a>
\nImmigrant Legal Resource Center \u2013 DACA<\/a>
\nUndocumented Student Program at UC Berkeley \u2013 Travel Abroad for Undocumented Students<\/a>
\nU.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services \u2013 Humanitarian or Significant Public Benefit Parole for Individuals Outside the United States<\/a>
\nMy Undocumented Life \u2013 Traveling Abroad with DACA<\/a>
\nUnited We Dream<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 The largest immigrant youth-led network<\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t

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*Disclaimer<\/strong><\/h4>\n

This does not constitute legal advice.\u00a0 While the Smith Center is not able to provide any legal advice or advice for U.S. travel WE CAN<\/strong> connect you with the appropriate services to assist you.\u00a0<\/i><\/p>\n

Make an appointment<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div> \n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n

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