Undocumented Students

Are you looking for support services for undocumented students?

You have come to the right place!

The Office of International Students and Scholars offers:

  • One-on-one confidential advisor meetings
  • Orientation
  • Academic support
  • Legal referrals
  • Referrals to other offices such as Wellbeing, Student Success Initiatives and Financial Aid
  • Webinars with immigration attorneys on knowing rights and updates on current legislation

To schedule a meeting

Marjorie Cerejo, Interim Program Director for International Undergraduates and J Scholars, serves as the main advisor for undocumented students. To set up an appointment, call 713-348-6095 or visit https://oiss.rice.edu/appointment.

Government Updates

Update on 09/28/2022: DHS Issues Regulation to Fortify and Preserve DACA – This final review, going into effect October 31, codifies existing DACA policy and retains existing threshold criteria and processes for seeking work authorization, maintaining that "DACA recipients should not be a priority for removal." https://www.dhs.gov/news/2022/08/24/dhs-issues-regulation-preserve-and-fortify-daca

While current DACA recipients remain able to renew their status, and new applications continue to be accepted, DHS is still barred from approving new applications (and this remains in effect despite the final rule issued by DHS). As for the current status of the program, a panel of federal judges has heard the Justice Department’s arguments defending the legality of the program, with further review likely to be sought by the 5th Circuit Court and potentially the Supreme Court, further down the line. https://www.politico.com/news/2022/07/06/appeals-court-daca-legality-00044275

Update on 07/16/2021: U.S. judge blocks new DACA applicants – Read Washington Post article: https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/daca-court-decision/2021/07/16/6c9a35be-e677-11eb-a41e-c8442c213fa8_story.html

DACA Update on 01/20/2021: Executive Order – Preserving and Fortifying Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) – Read White House Memorandum: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2021/01/20/preserving-and-fortifying-deferred-action-for-childhood-arrivals-daca/

TPS Update on 12/10/2020: Automatic Extension of Work Permits for TPS Holders from El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua, Sudan, Honduras, and Nepal – Read post from Foster: https://www.fosterglobal.com/blog/automatic-extension-of-work-permits-for-tps-holders-from-el-salvador-haiti-nicaragua-sudan-honduras-and-nepal/

DACA Update on 12/04/2020: Federal judge restores DACA, orders DHS to accept first-time applications from immigrants – Read on Washington Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/immigration/daca-restored-dreamers/2020/12/04/37254908-367a-11eb-8d38-6aea1adb3839_story.html

DACA Update on 11/14/2020: Federal judge rules acting DHS head Chad Wolf unlawfully appointed, invalidates DACA suspension – Read in NBC News: https://apple.news/AapxdNFwuQsO_9MmDf6DDuw

DACA Update on 06/18/2020: Supreme Court decision on DACA – https://www.fosterglobal.com/blog/supreme-court-leaves-daca-in-place-for-now/

Additional Support and Information

For more on Rice’s commitment to undocumented students and resources, please visit https://daca.rice.edu/.

Career Development Resources for DACA and Undocumented Students: https://ccd.rice.edu/daca-undocumented