College and Career Ready: Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals

Thousands of young New York City immigrants -- many of them high school students --  waited on line on August 15 to begin the process of applying for deportation deferrals under President Obama’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). While definitely not the DREAM Act, which would have provided undocumented young people with a clear pathway to citizenship, this program will allow young people the opportunity to finish high school and move on to college and/or a career without fear of arrest or threat of deportation.

 

But the decision to apply is complicated and fraught: some worry that information the young people provide could place them and/or family members in jeopardy. Government officials and immigrant advocates are encouraging potential advocates to avail themselves of competent and trustworthy counsel as they consider whether and how to apply.  Public schools are a first and most valuable point of contact for applicants, and a source of both essential documentation and referrals to counsel. New York City has been working overtime to make sure its public schools (and all its City agencies) are ready to help.

 

The Education Working Group of Philanthropy New York in conjunction with the Donors’ Education Collaborative and the Fund for New Citizens invite you to learn more about what the City -- including the Department of Education -- is doing and why this is so essential to improving college and career readiness in high schools across New York. Come learn with us.