CU Boulder Supports
Campus Resources
Are you a CU Boulder student who is undocumented and/or a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) beneficiary? Or, are you a candidate or existing employee who needs more information on visas or work authorization documents? If you need to talk to someone about your academic, employment or other issue, you are not alone. The university offers counseling and support services for students and employees, and you are encouraged to take full advantage of them during these uncertain times.
Academic Advising
- Academic advising is available for undergraduate students with advisers who understand the needs of DACA and Advancing Students for a Stronger Economy Tomorrow (ASSET) students. Email Ulysses Diaz for more information.
Financial Support
- Financial support is available through the Student Relief Fund established by the CU Board of Regents, and guidance is provided by the Office of Financial Aid. Call 303-492-5091 for more information.
Counseling Support
If you need to talk to someone about your situation, one-on-one, confidential counseling and support is available:
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Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) offers confidential mental health services for enrolled students for a variety of concerns. CAPS offers multicultural, multidisciplinary, and multi-theoretical staff. We are committed to affirming diversity and seek to provide a safe and welcoming environment for everyone we serve. To make an appointment, call 303-492-2277.
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The Office of Victim Assistance provides free and confidential trauma-informed counseling and advocacy specifically related to crime, violence, abuse, discrimination, experience of bias and policy violations. OVA is a resource to learn more about your options, get help navigating systems, and/or process the impact of the traumatic experiences. For more questions call 303-492-8855 or email.
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Staff/faculty may access counseling through the Faculty & Staff Assistance Program.
Legal Assistance
- Students and staff who need legal assistance may consult with bilingual law students in English, Spanish and French at the Immigration Law Clinic at Colorado Law, the university's law school. Call 303-492-8126 for more information.
- The spring Law Clinic starts in mid-January, but students and staff can ask for assistance at any time. Consultations are free and confidential, but there may be costs associated with U.S. Department of Homeland Security applications and other paperwork.
- Initial legal consultations are also available through the Student Legal Services office.
- Prof. Violeta Chapin oversees the Immigration Defense Clinic at Colorado Law. She and her student attorneys assist undocumented students, staff and community members with various legal matters relating to immigration removal defense, DACA renewals, criminal defense and asylum. Undocumented students are encouraged to contact Prof. Chapin for legal questions related to their immigration status and/or that of their family members.
More Information
The Center for Inclusion and Social Change
Free DACA Renewal Assistance
The Criminal/Immigration Defense Clinic will work primarily with undocumented college students enrolled at universities and community colleges across the state of Colorado. Law students provide assistance with DACA renewals.
On July 16, 2021, Judge Andrew Hanen, a federal district court judge in Texas, ruled that the DACA program was unlawful. Judge Hanen ordered the Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS) to stop processing new DACA applications until the litigation is resolved.
On October 6, 2022, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals issued its decision upholding the ruling that DACA was unlawful and violated the Administrative Procedures Act. However, both parties agreed that DACA renewals will continue.
Because the Department of Homeland Security issued a rule earlier this Fall fully re-implementing DACA, the 5thCircuit Court has ordered the parties to fully consider that new rule in future litigation. The case has been sent back to Judge Hanen for further review, and he will likely issue another ruling before any further steps will be taken.
It is expected that the Biden Administration will appeal this decision to the Supreme Court when that step is open. Further litigation is ongoing and we will provide updates in this space as we learn more.
Students should be aware that:
- Current DACA recipients are not affected and DHS will still accept and process renewal applications. If you need help with DACA renewal assistance, please email Prof. Violeta Chapin and her law students in the Immigration Clinic at Colorado Law School.
- The ruling does affect new DACA applicants who may be eligible for the program. Because there is a conflicting ruling out of another circuit, this ruling does not stop USCIS from accepting new DACA applications at this time, but it does stop them from processing, or granting, new DACA status on any applicants. What is not clear at the moment is whether USCIS can process new DACA applications that were submitted before this ruling; it remains to be seen what will be decided
- USCIS has issued new guidance to state that all biometric, or fingerprint, appointments that had been scheduled for new DACA applicants are cancelled, and those applicants should not appear for their scheduled appointments.
- The ruling does not command the DHS to take any enforcement action against any DACA recipient, and it does not strip anyone of their current DACA status in any way. This is an evolving case and we expect more litigation to follow through the appeals process.
Please see the DHS website for more information. We strongly encourage you to connect with your legal resources, including Student Legal Services and Professor Violeta Chapin at Colorado Law to understand how this may impact your specific situation or if you have questions about submitting paperwork for your case.
Media Inquiries
Send inquiries to cunews@colorado.edu