Undocumented Community Resource Center

LEARN ABOUT THE U.C.R.C. PROGRAM

The UCRC opened in 2018 of March to help Undocumented students and other Immigrant students to navigate through college. The Center is committed to helping students find the resources they need to meet their academic and career goals. Community is important to us so we want everyone to feel welcome here at the UCRC.

The Center focuses on Academic Counseling, Mental Health advocacy and Legal Services Referrals. As well as resources for students like partnering with organizations such as:

Meet The UCRC Team 

Carolina Martinez

Carolina Martinez is one of the founders of the Undocumented Community Resource Center (U.C.R.Center) Carolina Martinez was born and raised in Mazatlán, Mexico. Ms. Martinez moved to the United States 14 years ago with the dream of securing a better future for herself and her family. Supporting her family economically and emotionally is what motivates her to get up every day, while studying hard and working for her Undocumented Community. Ms. Martinez was granted five years ago with a U-visa and currently has her Permanent Resident (Green Card). Ms. Martinez thinks that every person has the right to the same opportunities. She expresses her Mexican roots through Mexican folk dancing and is proud to say that dance is her most powerful form of expression.

Pronouns: She/Her/Ella

Angelica Peña

Angelica was born and raised in the East Bay and is a proud transfer student from Ohlone College. She transferred to UCLA where she earned a B.A. in Sociology and a minor in Chicana/o Studies and was the first in her family to receive a college degree. She is the proud daughter of Mexican immigrants and has over three years of experience working with diverse populations, including undocumented, low-income, BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, English language learners, first-generation, and historically underrepresented college students of all ages and abilities. Her passion for counseling stems from her personal journey as a first-gen. She is committed to providing compassionate, carino, open door, holistic care as an advisor.

Pronouns: She/Her/ELLA

B.A. in Sociology & Chicana/O Studies

M.S. College & Career Counseling -San Francisco State University

Videos About us:

 

 

 

Click Here to learn how you can join the UCRC Community!

The Undocumented Community Resource Center (UCRC) is excited to welcome students to the UCRC.  The UCRC is a learning community where we support undocumented students throughout their educational journey; we provide academic counseling and support with forms such as AB540, and other benefits. We will be holding orientations for Fall 2024 where you can start your U.C.R.C academic journey.

New UCRC Student Cohort

Program Requirements:

1) Attend one Orientation or intake counseling appointment

2) Two check-in appointments with the U.C.R.C every semester

2) Must be enrolled in 6 or more units

3) Must have taken less than 76 units/ Have no more then 6 semesters in total 

4) Your major just be at Berkeley City College

What you will receive 

You will have access to academic counseling and assistance, immigration resources, scholarships, and financial aid resources. Continuing UCRC Student Cohort will receive ongoing the benefits listed above.

If you have questions you can Email us at

bcc-ucrc@peralta.edu

Need Legal help? Make an appointment:

Click here to Schedule Your Appointment Today

This service is made available to Community College students to provide Legal Service help to Immigrant and Undocumented students. 

The California community college immigration legal services project Provides a wide range of free immigration legal services, including application assistance, education, and outreach to undocumented students, staff, and faculty on California community college campuses. The ten chosen legal services providers have committed to representing students, faculty, and staff through the duration of their case, in some instances, even after they are no longer affiliated with the community college system (so long as they were enrolled at intake). A partnership with the Immigrant Legal Resource Center will also allow us to develop accurate and current immigration law and policy information that our student, faculty, and staff can access through the Chancellor’s Office, regardless of which college they attend.

Legal Provider Organization:  Immigration Legal Defense (ILD)

Our mission is to promote justice through the provision of legal representation to underserved immigrant communities.

Immigrant Legal Defense (ILD) is a nonprofit agency dedicated to providing immigration legal services.  One of the most critical aspects in the delivery of high volume, high quality legal services is an experienced team of attorneys who work efficiently together.  Our team of directing and managing attorneys have worked together for many years. Our complementary expertise covering the full scope of immigration law and procedure, allowed us to represent thousands of unaccompanied minors, families seeking asylum, and individuals in detained and non-detained immigration proceedings throughout California.  Together, we have launched innovative programs and partnerships that are recognized as national models for both the delivery of critical immigration legal services and advocacy. Our team has now come together to form ILD to continue providing free legal services for immigrants and families in California.

Email: ildccc@ild.org

Immigration Services

Free immigration legal services are available to students, staff, and faculty affiliated with the Community Colleges. Priority for services is given to undocumented students, staff, and faculty. The immigration legal service providers offering services at the 65 campuses have developed scheduling, intake, and reporting processes that ensure student information remains confidential and protected. While all legal providers offer legal consultations and basic immigration benefit application assistance, some providers may offer additional services.

Services Provided

Areas of immigration legal assistance 

• Legal Consultations to Screen for Immigration Relief
• Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Renewals
• Family-based petitions
• Naturalization/Citizenship applications
• T visas
• U visas
• Violence Against Women Act petitions
• Special immigrant's Juvenile status

Types of immigration legal services provided

• Help completing forms
• fillings with USCIS
• Representation before the immigration court 
• Representation before the board of immigration appeals
• Federal court appeals

Other Areas of Legal Assistance:

Workshops and presentations can include but are not limited to these topics:

• Avoiding fraudulent legal services
• Legal Orientation Program/Know Your Rights Presentations (KYR)
• Family Preparedness/Childcare Safety Plans
• Public Charge information
• Basic immigration Remedies
• College Access to for Undocumented Students
• Legal Orientation Program

Services not currently funded (referrals may be provided):

• Removal Defense
• Asylum Application
• Employment authorization renewals

Important information about DACA requests: On January 20, 2021, President Biden issued a memorandum directing the Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the Attorney General, to take appropriate action to preserve and fortify DACA, consistent with applicable law.

DACA UPDATE

What is DACA?

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.

DACA Renewal Process

You can renew if you:

• Did not depart the United States on or after Aug. 15, 2012, without advance parole;
• Have continuously resided in the United States since you submitted your most recent DACA request that was approved; and
• Have not been convicted of a felony, a significant misdemeanor, or three or more misdemeanors, and do not otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.

Get Help: Don’t apply alone.  All DACA renewals are being accepted by USCIS. Consult a qualified attorney before submitting any application to immigration authorities, particularly if you have had any contact with police or any unauthorized absences from the U.S.

• • Apply at least 150 days before your DACA and work permit expire. However, USCIS is now accepting applications more than 150 days prior to the expiration date and up to 364 days prior to the expiration date, so you can apply if your DACA will expire in less than 1 year.
  • Note: you can still renew even if you are over 31, have graduated, or have moved schools.
  
  Collect documents as evidence you meet the guidelines: You will need to submit supporting documents with your request for DACA. You can submit legible copies of these documents unless the instructions specify you must submit an original document.
  • G-28 – Notice of Entry of Appearance As Attorney (Optional)
  • G-1145 – E-Notification (Optional)
  • Form I-821D – Consideration of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). Indicate this is a renewal application and only complete sections required for renewal applicants. Provide updated information in those sections.
  • Form I-765 – Application for Employment Authorization (EAD). Indicate the application is for a renewal EAD (work permit). List your current status as “DACA recipient,” and for question 16 the eligibility category is (C)(33).
  • Form I-765WS – Worksheet. Briefly explain your economic need to work.
• Submit Applications: Include two passport photos, copy of current work permit and fee. The fee is $495.00. 
• Schedule Biometrics Appointment: You will receive a receipt by mail and a biometrics (fingerprinting) appointment notice.
• Final Steps: After being fingerprinted, you will either receive a letter asking for additional information (called a Request for Evidence) or a final decision.

Advance Parole

You can only travel for the following reasons:

• humanitarian purposes, including travel to obtain medical treatment, attending funeral services for a family member, or visiting an ailing relative;
• educational purposes, such as semester-abroad programs and academic research, or;
• employment purposes such as overseas assignments, interviews, conferences or, training, or meetings with clients overseas

When applying for Advance Parole you must fill out the Application for Travel Document (Form I-131) and pay the fee

Here you can find the application fees and download the document

Checklists to stay informed:

1. Make sure that you qualify. First check the qualifications to make sure you can apply, double check by getting in contact with an attorney
2. Next be prepared to pay the fee for the application process. The fee is $495, you can pay through cash or Money Order. However if you can’t afford to pay the fee there are centers available to aid you 
3. If it is your first time applying some things to expect is: a lot of paperwork and documents. It will take a couple of months before you receive your DACA in the mail and your work permit. *Remember that this will last up to two years before you have to renew*

     Here is a Guide on Financial Planning 

Aid Centers to consider for legal help:      

• Advancing Justice

Monday – Friday
Phone:  (English  888-349-9695) ; (Chinese  800-520-2356) ; (한국어  800-867-3640)

• Catholic Charities 

Telephone: (510) 768-3100
Open from 9:00 – 5:00   Closed for lunch 12:00 – 1:00

• Immigration Institute of the Bay Area

Oakland Phone: (510) 451-2846×301

oakland@iibayarea

San Francisco (415) 138-8100×206

sfinfo@iibayarea

• Centro de Legal de la Raza 

 Phone:  (510) 437-1554

3400 East 12th Street, Oakland, CA 94601 (ONLY Immigration clinic)

info@centrolegal.org

Other Visas 

Victims of Criminal Activity U Nonimmigrant Status: U-Visa: U-Visa

Victim of Human Trafficking T Nonimmigrant Status:  T-Visa

Humanitarian Refugees: Refugee

Humanitarian Asylum: Asylum

Humanitarian Parole: Humanitarian Parole

Advance Parole for DACA: Application for Travel Document I-131

Temporary Protected Status: TPS El Salvador

Temporary Protected Status: TPS Haiti

Temporary Protected Status: TPS Nepal

Temporary Protected Status: TPS Honduras

Temporary Protected Status

Immigration Legal Intake: Immigrants Rising’s Immigration Legal Intake Service is an online survey to help undocumented young people learn about possible immigration options.

For more information please visit the uscis.gov website.  Additionally,  Direct appointments with the UCRC can be made though the Contact Us page.

In Solidarity with the Undocumented Community

Get to know how to be in Solidarity with the Undocumented Community 

Why Undocu-Solidarity?

Solidarity is an action based approach to supporting the Undocumented Community. It is about being more than an ally, being in solidarity with the Undocumented Community is showing commitment through your actions.

Sometimes being an Ally means using your privilege to help those who are risking themselves, their homes and families. Using your privilege even as a documented immigrant can be a major support to Undocumented people that fight for their rights while risking their lives. 

Getting to know other other communities within the Undocumented community is a great way to become a better Ally. This includes people who are LGBTQ+, POC, different religions and ethnic backgrounds, it is important to recognize all people because we all come from everywhere. 

Learn about the hardships 

Undocumented people are the economic backbone of the United States. Many Undocumented people work in the Food industry from Restaurants to Farm Fields everyday. In the U.S. Immigrant people make up the 73% of agriculture workers. These workers are essential and help get food on our table. Undocumented people are Frontline workers and most of the time their efforts go unrecognized. 

This is important to recognize because Undocumented students are all types of workers and usually take on the jobs that no one else wants to do. So we stand in Solidarity to Undocumented people by actively recognizing and supporting them in any way we can. One of them being is to recognize the different ways to call out and correct respectfully by using appropriate ways to refer to an Undocumented person.

What are other correct ways to approach an undocumented person?

• Dehumanizing Terms:
  • Illegal
  • Illegal Immigrant
  • Alien
  • Illegal Alien
• Alternative “Humanizing” terms:
  • Undocumented
  • Undocumented Immigrant
  • “DACA”mented
  • Refugee

What to do when a student discloses to you about their immigration status

Comfort the student:

“Thank you for sharing with me” “ I am here to support you” “What can I do to help you? 

Don’t assume you know how the student is feeling or managing their experience. 

• Refer them to the UCRC (Room 113 & 114 in the LRC)

• Encourage them to complete the California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Application & the AB540  Affidavit then submit them to the Admissions and Records office (UCRC can assist students)

• Advise them to complete the CA Dream Act application (UCRC can assist students)

• If a student does not qualify for AB 540? Refer to UCRC

• Dual Enrollment Option at Berkeley Adult School

Actions instructors can take to be in solidarity

• Ensure students their privacy is protected by the college and will not be shared with ICE or Homeland Security
• Include U.C.R.C. contact info and statement of support in the course syllabus
• If you are aware of a students status or have reason to believe they are undocumented dont call them out. Make the student feel welcome and check in with them off line.  
• Announce U.C.R.C. events: offer extra credit to students to attend.  
• If you notice a student is struggling, ask how you can help: 
• Example: “Hey, I noticed your grades have been dropping.. What can I do to support you with your learning? How can I best support you?” 
• Refer them to the U.C.R.C.

Actions classified staff can take to be in solidarity

• Understand that many of these students are struggling with sharing and disclosing information because they are fearful
• Share accurate information and make the process easy to understand
• Do not assume that someone is not Undocumented because they are not Latina, Latinx, or Latino.
• Refer, refer, refer to the UCRC
• Or to the BCC Adult Education Program Manager, Midhun Joseph

Actions Administration can take to be in solidarity.  

• Collaborate with the U.C.R.C. to create emergency funds
• Continue to institutionalize and support the U.C.R.Center and include the program in institutional planning documents
• Make Undocu student success outcomes an institutional metric
• Build cross institutional partnership 

Don’t know where to refer a student? Below are some resources

Contact us at bcc-ucrc@peralta.edu

Financial, Educational, Legal, and Mental Health Resources

• Immigrants Rising https://immigrantsrising.org/
• UndocuBlack Network https://undocublack.org/
• Informed Immigrant https://www.informedimmigrant.com/#
• Immigrant Legal Resource Center https://www.ilrc.org/

 

 

Undocumented Community Resource Center (UCRC) family at Berkeley City College. At the UCRC, we are committed to providing undocumented students with leadership development, resources, and a safe environment where they can embrace their chosen identities and access as many resources available on and off campus to pursue their academic, personal, and career goals. We understand the importance of having a network of support when pursuing our dreams and that is the main purpose of this center – to provide a safe space where students get the resources and empowerment needed to achieve their dreams. The center was founded by and for students.

Donations help sustain our organization and benefit the community which we serve. We are counting on your support.

Click Here To Donate!

The Undocumented Community Resource Center, located on the first floor of the Berkeley City College campus in the LRC, Berkeley city college is looking to support their community of undocumented students during the Covid-19 crisis. We clearly understand that many students and their families might be experiencing loss of jobs and income, food insecurity, and the need for help covering extra expenses. Given the circumstances, we would like to inform you that we will be giving away emergency grants to show our support and appreciation for the undocumented community at Berkeley City College.

If you would like to donate to the Undocumented Student (UCRC) Fund, please go to the Peralta Colleges Foundation donation page.  This fund will be distributed to undocumented students at Berkeley City College. 

Or

Scan the QR code!

 

Thank you for your support ❤