DREAMers

"DREAMer" is an inclusive term for undocumented individuals either with or without Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA). DREAMers/undocumented students live in the U.S. and are neither U.S citizens, legal permanent residents, and do not hold a currently valid non-immigrant visa. Undocumented students may or may not have entered on a visa (i.e. B-1/B-2) or previously held legal permanent residency status

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, also known as DACA is the name used for a process announced by the Secretary of Homeland Security on June 15, 2012, due to an executive order signed by former President Barack Obama. Although the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on June 18, 2020 to uphold DACA temporarily on a procedural issue, on July 16, 2021, a U.S. Federal District Court in the Southern District of Texas ruled that DACA could not process new applications for DACA.

Consistent with this order, DHS will continue to accept the filing of both initial and renewal DACA requests, as well as accompanying requests for employment authorization. However, pursuant to the July 16, 2021 order from the Southern District of Texas, DHS is prohibited from granting initial DACA requests and accompanying requests for employment authorization. Also consistent with that order, DHS will continue to grant or deny renewal DACA requests, according to existing policy.

Under the 2012 DACA policy, if you came to the United States as a child and met several key guidelines, you could file an application with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), a branch of the Department of Homeland Security, to request consideration of deferred action.

"Deferred action" refers to a decision to defer (delay or put off) removal action of an individual. DACA may be granted by USCIS for a period of two years and may be renewed under certain circumstances. Deferred action does not provide an individual with lawful status; however, recipients of deferred action may obtain work authorization.

DACA students are individuals who applied for and received deferred action. DACA students typically are granted employment authorization and receive an employment authorization documented (EAD card). The EAD allows DACA students to apply for a Social Security Number and driver’s license.

No. DREAMers are not eligible for federal financial aid. However, depending on the state in which you are attending college or university, you may be eligible for state or college financial aid. In the state of Texas, Dreamers may apply for state aid via the Texas Application for State Financial Aid.

Yes. All students including DREAMers and undocumented students can apply for Federal Student Emergency Aid from the CARES, CRRSAA and ARP Act as outlined in updated guidance received the summer of 2021. 

Additional City of San Antonio resources can be found at sanantonio.gov/humanservices/ImmigrationServices

Yes. Texas was the first state to pass a law in 2001, House Bill 1403 (HB1403), sometimes referred to as the ‘Texas Dream Act’ which allows Dreamers to receive in-state tuition based on Texas residency. Later modified by Senate Bill 1528, an undocumented student is eligible for in-state tuition if they meet the following criteria:

• Must have lived in Texas at least 3 years before receiving their High School (in Texas) diploma or GED

• Must have lived in Texas at least 3 years before enrolling in a public college/university (in Texas)

• Must fill out an affidavit declaring that he/she will apply for residency as soon as able to do so

In order to access this benefit, you will need to complete the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA). The TASFA is a financial aid application for students who are not U.S. Citizens, but who are Texas Residents. For more information on the TAFSA and how to complete the application, please visit our Financial Aid webpage.