Washburn creates a learning environment for all students who have the motivation, discipline, and desire to learn. We hope the legal issues surrounding DACA students will be resolved quickly to minimize the anxiety and stress for those adversely effected. We urge DACA students, as we do all of our students, to continue their education. 

To help understand the impact of the rescission of DACA, we offer the following information and resources as support and assistance through this time of uncertainty.

Important items to know:

  • DACA and work permits (Employment Authorization Documents) will remain valid until its expiration date.  To determine when your DACA and work permit expires, look at your I-795 Approval Notice and the bottom of your Employment Authorization Document (EAD). Presently, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) does not consider persons with expired DACA permits as a priority for deportation (but this is subject to change).
  • In compliance with an order of a United States District Court, effective December 7, 2020, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is:
    • Accepting first-time requests for consideration of deferred action under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) based on the terms of the DACA policy in effect prior to September 5, 2017, and in accordance with the Court’s December 4, 2020, order;
    • Accepting DACA renewal requests based on the terms of the DACA policy in effect prior to September 5, 2017, and in accordance with the Court’s December 4, 2020, order;
    • Accepting applications for advance parole documents based on the terms of the DACA policy prior to September 5, 2017, and in accordance with the Court’s December 4, 2020, order;
    • Extending one-year grants of deferred action under DACA to two years; and
    • Extending one-year employment authorization documents under DACA to two years.

FAQ's for Students

  1. What is the role of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)?
     FERPA protects the privacy of student records.  Records are only released with a student’s consent or if there is a legal exception.  One exception is to release records requested by subpoena or warrant issued by a court or agency.  As with any other agency, if ICE requests any student records, like class schedules, all FERPA rules apply, so WU will make sure the request is proper.
  2. What about Financial Aid and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?
     DACA students are not eligible for federal financial aid, so WU does not accept FAFSA forms from DACA students and we do not have this information on record.
  3. If a DACA student needs to leave Topeka, will WU help students complete their degrees?
    Yes. We will do all we can to help students complete their degrees.

Applying for DACA

Please also see the official instructions for applying for DACA.

Additional Assistance

For additional assistance students may contact:

Alejandra Perez;
Coordinator of Hispanic Development Fund Programs
1055 Broadway, Suite 130 | Kansas City, MO 64105
Cell: 816-589-0442 I www.hdfkc.org
she/her/ella
Schedule a meeting with Alejandra Perez at your convenience.

Washburn Law Clinic
www.washburnlaw.edu 

The Law Clinic will be hosting Walk-in Application Consultations to assist students with renewal documents. Please contact the Washburn Law Clinic for more information.

El Centro of Topeka
www.elcentrooftopeka.org

El Centro provides immigration assistance, among other programs. They will be providing clinics regarding DACA, and you can always make an appointment to speak to someone about legal consultations and services. To make an appointment to speak with someone regarding DACA and immigration, call 785-232-8207.

What do I need to know if the DACA Program Ends? Immigrant Legal Resource Center

Click here to download a document to help inform you on legal matters related to DACA.

Kansas-Missouri Dream Alliance  
www.ksmoda.org

The Kansas/Missouri DREAM Alliance (KSMODA) is a youth-led organization working in Kansas and Missouri, educating, advocating, and providing students with the resources necessary to reach their higher educational goals. They are an organization dedicated to the implementation of DACA and education of DACA+ & DAPA. 

United We Dream
www.unitedwedream.org

A website with information and resources on protecting immigrant youth.

As students deal with stress and anxiety, such as that caused by the DACA dismissal, it is important that you take an active role in your own health.  Washburn provides opportunities to do so:

Counseling Services 

Student Recreation and Wellness

Student Health Services


External resources

National Suicide Prevention Hotline (24/7 Hotline: Confidential):

  • English: 1-800-273-8255
  • Español: 1-888-628-9454

For what to do after one tries to commit suicide:
This resource takes you step by step on how to start taking care of one another when someone goes through a suicide crisis.
https://www.bethe1to.com/bethe1to-steps-evidence/

For a virtual safe space you can have in your room:
If you want a calming activity that you can do while you are on your computer, this resource will take you to the website of the suicide prevention lifeline that will help you to relax.
https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/talk-to-someone-now/

Rights you have in a relationship:
If someone is in a stressful and toxic relationship, this resource will remind them of their rights in a relationship.
https://www.loveisrespect.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Relationship-Rights.pdf

If a loved one or you are in a moment of crisis and wish not to talk to someone:
You can text The Crisis Text Hotline. This is a 24/7 confidential hotline and will direct you to text with a trained crisis counselor. Text: 741741

On June 15, 2012, the Secretary of Homeland Security announced that certain people who came to the United States as children and meet several guidelines may request consideration of deferred action for a period of two years, subject to renewal. They are also eligible for work authorization. Deferred action is a use of prosecutorial discretion to defer removal action against an individual for a certain period of time. Deferred action does not provide lawful status.

Prior to September 5, 2017 you were able to request DACA if:

  • Were under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012;
  • Came to the United States before reaching your 16th birthday;
  • Have continuously resided in the United States since June 15, 2007, up to the present time;
  • Were physically present in the United States on June 15, 2012, and at the time of making your request for consideration of deferred action with USCIS;
  • Had no lawful status on June 15, 2012;
  • Are currently in school, have graduated or obtained a certificate of completion from high school, have obtained a general education development (GED) certificate, or are an honorably discharged veteran of the Coast Guard or Armed Forces of the United States; and
  • Have not been convicted of a felony, significant misdemeanor, or three or more other misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.

Age Guidelines

Anyone requesting DACA must have been under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012. You must also be at least 15 years or older to request DACA, unless you are currently in removal proceedings or have a final removal or voluntary departure order, as summarized in the table below: 
I have never been in removal proceedings, or my proceedings have been terminated before making my request At least 15 years old at the time of submitting your request and under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012.
I am in removal proceedings, have a final removal order, or have a voluntary departure order, and I am not in immigration detention. Under the age of 31 as of June 15, 2012, but you may be younger than 15 years old at the time you submit your request.
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