Welcome!
The Immigration Initiative at Harvard is committed to providing a welcoming learning community to empower all students to flourish. These community members include undocumented, DACAmented, TPS, and mixed-status students who are too often invisible and underserved.
We serve as the advisors for the HGSE Undocumented Student Affinity Group and the Harvard UndocuGraduate Collective. As immigrants and educators focused on the experiences of immigrant students, we are deeply committed to supporting the educational journeys of this community. We are deeply committed to supporting the educational journeys of this community. We are here to support, advocate, and celebrate your successes!
Below, we have assembled information and resources that may be useful in pursuing academic dreams against the tides.
Warmly,
Carola Suárez-Orozco
Jaein Lee
TERMS & DEFINITIONS
Undocumented: A noncitizen in the US. Not to be confused with international student.
DACA: Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals
TPS: Temporary Protected Status
Mixed Status: Individual with family members of varying legal status.
RESOURCES FOR STUDENTS
My Undocumented Life is a website dedicated to providing an up-to-date array of resources and information for undocumented immigrants in the United States. The site focuses on sharing opportunities, news, and guidance relevant to the undocumented community on topics including navigating college access, scholarships, applying to grad school, applying for advanced parole, and much more!
The Higher Ed Immigration Portal is a comprehensive digital platform that serves as a centralized resource hub for and regarding immigrant, undocumented and DACAmented, refugee, and international students in higher education. A standout feature is their 50-state interactive map showing tuition and financial aid equity for undocumented students.
HARVARD STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
- The HGSE Undocumented Student Affinity Group serves to build support network for HGSE undocumented students and alums. We aim to provide a safe and brave space where students can share their experiences, concerns, and dreams. The HGSE Office of Student Affairs contact person is Andrea Le {andrea_le@gse.harvard.edu}. Carola Suárez-Orozco {carola_suarezorozco@gse.harvard.edu} serves as the faculty liaison for the community.
- The Harvard UndocuGraduate Collective (HUGC) is an emerging initiative bringing together undocumented graduate students across Harvard’s graduate and professional schools to build community, share resources, and create networks of support. HUGC aims to foster inclusivity, ownership, and belonging for and among undocumented individuals as part of the Harvard Graduate Student experience, while also educating the broader Harvard community about the challenges and contributions of undocumented immigrants. Through collaborative efforts with existing resources and initiatives, HUGC strives to ensure that undocumented graduate students have equitable access to opportunities and can thrive in their academic and professional pursuits at Harvard and beyond. Students interested in connecting should reach out to student organizers Anakaren Quintero Davalos {anakarenqd@gse.harvard.edu} or Maria Ximena Valenzuela {mvalenzuela@gse.harvard.edu} or faculty liason Professor Carola Suárez-Orozco {carola_suarezorozco@gse.harvard.edu}.
- Act on a Dream—is Harvard’s Undergraduate home for undocumented, DACA, mixed status family, and other immigrant students & allies. Matias Ramos, the Associate Director, Harvard Foundation for Intercultural and Race Relations serves as the primary staff contact for this student led group – mramos@fas.harvard.edu
LEGAL SUPPORTS
Harvard Immigration and Refugee Clinical Program is one of the oldest immigrants’ rights clinics in the country. The Clinic has supervised thousands of Harvard students representing individuals seeking asylum and other forms of humanitarian protection in the United States. The Clinic has also engaged in cutting-edge policy advocacy and appellate litigation before the Board of Immigration Appeals, U.S. Courts of Appeals, and the Supreme Court on issues ranging from expedited removal and gender-based asylum to due process protections in removal proceedings and discriminatory entry policies. The Clinic’s interdisciplinary team offers a holistic and trauma-sensitive approach to services. If you are a Harvard student, staff, or faculty member who has immigration-related concerns, you may schedule a free appointment with an attorney by emailing hri@law.harvard.edu or calling 617-495-6648.
Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Boston provides legal consultation, referral and representation for an array of immigration benefits including political asylum, naturalization and family reunification.
MIRA Coalition provides a list of organizations which can provide immigration legal services through attorneys or BIA-accredited representatives.
National Immigration Legal Services Directory provides a list of legal services in Massachusetts.
Centro Presente has provided trustworthy, affordable services crucial to the Latin American immigrant community since 1981.
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) ACLU is a trustworthy hub for up-to-date information about immigrant’s rights as well as networks of legal services.
National Immigration Law Center (NILC) Established in 1979, the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) is one of the leading organizations in the U.S. exclusively dedicated to defending and advancing the rights of immigrants with low income – sign up for their newsletter to stay up to date.
International Rescue Committee (IRC) The International Rescue Committee offers high-quality, low-cost immigration legal services and citizenship assistance in 23 cities across the United States.
Kids In Need of Defense (KIND) provides legal services for immigrant and refugee children who do not have attorneys to represent them in their deportation proceedings.
PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORTS
Harvard Representation Initiative offers psychosocial support services for Harvard students with liminal documentation status. We offer social work support to all clients as part of their legal representation. Our clinical social work team can assist with emotional support, health insurance issues, financial concerns, food insecurity, and other resources on and off campus. Call (617) 495-6648 or email hri@law.harvard.edu to schedule a consultation.
FINANCIAL RESOURCES & INFORMATION
My Undocumented Life College Scholarships Blog provides information on the latest scholarship opportunities for undocumented students here including national-, regional-, and state-level undergraduate and graduate scholarships.
Immigrants Rising provides a rolling list of scholarships available to the community.
United We Dream – Scholarships for Undocumented Students and DACA Recipients This is an excellent platform for finding scholarship opportunities open to DACA and undocumented students which can be filtered by region, academic level, organization, etc.
The Dream.US Scholarship The Dream-US Scholarship team believes nothing should stand in your way of a college education—not the cost, your immigrant status, or the lack of financial aid. Their scholarships can help you pay for your college education.
Dream in Mexico provides educational and employment opportunities in México for undocumented Mexican talents living in the United States.
