Undocumented Student Support and Resources
Immigrant and undocumented students seeking support please email globalmigration@umd.edu for us to connect you to resources on campus. For students who are interested in basic needs support, we encourage you to reach out to the Thrive Center for Essential Needs at thrive@umd.edu where staff who have experience working on all student issues, including immigrant and undocumented issues, are able to assist you too.
CGMS's mission is to foster scholarship and promote understanding of migration and migrant lives. Some of the most vulnerable members of UMD's campus community are imperiled by intensifying anti-immigrant attitudes which are often fueled by misinformation and precarity. This repository aims to correct misperceptions and empower advocates for immigrant rights. You will find reliable information regarding policies, support services for immigrants, advocacy resources and organizations, and empirical information regarding history and impacts of immigrants in the United States.
8 Things You Can Do To Support Undocumented Students
General Information for Undocumented UMD Students
UMD's ICE Campus Policy
If ICE agents are conducting raids in your area, if you need help locating someone in ICE custody, or if you would like to report ICE activity, ICIRR has a hotline you can call at 1-855-HELP-MY-FAMILY (1-855-435-7963). The hotline has operator who speak English, Spanish, Korean, and Polish.
The University of Maryland's Guidance: When Questioned by ICE (February 2025)
Family members can use the ICE detainee locator. Be sure your family and emergency contacts have a copy of your A-Number (your alien registration number found on your immigration documents from ICE) if you have one.
UMD Legal and Financial Resources
University Division of Student Affairs: Thrive Center for Essential Needs provides support to all students across campus, including immigrant and undocumented students. They also administer the Economic Crisis Grant for students needing supporting with housing, food, or an emergency financial situation that may impact a student's ability to be enrolled at the university.
UMD Career Center: Career-Related Tips for Undocumented Students
General Info on Residency Reclassification
Important note: "It is crucial for undocumented students to know that the majority of undocumented students are considered out-of-state when accepted into UMD even if a student has in-county costs for their community college. This is important to note since out-of-state will mean that you will be charged out-of-state tuition rates unless you are able to qualify to adjust your status to in-state."
Non-resident Tuitional Differential Exemption (Maryland DREAM Act)
Contact an Immigrant Lawyer if you want to know more about your immigration options. At the University of Maryland. College Park, the Graduate and Undergraduate Legal Aid Office offers 30 minute monthly consultations with an immigration lawyer.
Culture & Identity Based Offices
Scholarships and Grants
Securing scholarships requires advanced planning. Many students inquire about scholarship opportunities during their current semester. Unfortunately, most scholarship funds for a specific academic year are already allocated by the time classes start. To increase your chances of receiving financial aid, it’s crucial to begin your scholarship search at least a year in advance with the MHEC One Application. The majority of the university’s scholarships are limited and not available to students without U.S. citizenship or Legal Permanent Resident status. We encourage you to treat the scholarship application process like a part-time job, dedicating consistent time and effort each month to find and apply for suitable opportunities.
Once you are accepted and have created a UID, you can create a Scholarship Universe Portal, which allows you to view internal UMD and external scholarships. Please note that you must check to see if you need eligibility criteria especially regarding immigration status requirements. It is important to know that the majority of scholarships at the university require U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency status. We highly encourage you to ask your program what they offer and to explore external scholarships too.
There is also a great scholarship database that you can check routinely that is friendly towards immigrant students administered by Immigrants Rising. Please use discretion and check eligibility requirements when applying to scholarships from this site. Each month there are different scholarships that you can search on that database to determine what is applicable to you.
For students who are applying to the MHEC One App, we also highly encourage you to apply to the State of Maryland Delegate and Senatorial Scholarships available to you by your local officials. This is done by contacting your officials in your area of residence.
Securing grants requires advanced planning.
If you are awarded grants from MDCAPS/MHEC One App then I would encourage students to follow up with UMD's Office of Financial Aid to inquire about our Terrapin Commitment. This grant has historically been available to those that receive the MHEC One funding. Please note that funding year to year is not guaranteed so please discuss with a financial rep as soon as you are accepted into MHEC One App funding.
Support Offices & Offerings
New/Incoming Undocumented Students
Unsubscribe from ISS orientation for Undocumented Students
Many undocumented/immigrant new students are incorrectly placed on the international student list and start receiving communication for international students. As an undocumented student, you do not attend orientation from the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS).In order to stop the emails from the ISS office please do the following:
- Please view the emails from ISSS where they ask if you will be filling out an I-20.
- If you fill out the form and click ‘No’ I will not be filling out an I-20 you will be taken off the international student office emails.
After stopping email communication from ISS, please contact the Office of Student Orientation and Transition to sign up for the appropriate orientation. Their contact information can be found HERE. Transfer students have a separate orientation. Please take a look at their website for lots of information about orientation and transitioning into campus.
Residency Reclassification for Undocumented Students
Undocumented are initially classified as out-of-state students upon acceptance to UMD, students are charged higher tuition rates by default. To be considered for in-state rates, students must meet specific requirements and submit paperwork to the Office of Residency Reclassification. The process and eligibility criteria vary depending on individual circumstances. For detailed information and application procedures, email resclass@umd.edu or visit the Office of Residency Reclassification website.
DACA Process (please view the end of this page link to see the requirements)
Maryland Dream Act Process (Exemption Process for undoc students)
- Please note that for the Maryland Dream Act you will need to get your birth certificate translated to English if it is not in English already. You can do so at a translation agency or certified notary that aids with translation services
- Please note that for the Maryland Dream Act you will need to get your taxes officially certified through the Maryland Comptroller. For the closest location near you visit here. If you are certifying your parents taxes then they will need to be present at the Maryland Comptroller at the time of the appointment/walk-in to present their ID.
Health Insurance
Health insurance is a requirement of the University of Maryland. Students will notice at the start of the semester a charge for the university insurance. If you are uninsured, the university mandates that insurance must be added to a student’s billing. This is often one of the hidden costs of higher education that students are not aware of. Please be sure to take this into account when budgeting your financial costs. This typically means that it adds at least $2500 (or more) to your cost for education in addition to all tuition and fees. For the latest rates please view this website here and scroll down to the part that says ‘rates’ for the academic year.
The only way to opt-out of health insurance is if you already have health insurance. Some students may already have health insurance through the employer of their parents. Students must fill out an insurance waiver at the start of the semester and show proof of insurance by a certain deadline to remove the charge. Please view that same webpage to verify the deadline of the insurance waiver.
In addition, the university does require students to have certain vaccination requirements. Please view this website in order to find out more information about what is required and check out their separate FAQ https://health.umd.edu/medical-behavioral-health/immunization-clinic/immunization-frequently-asked-questions page.
Maryland State Financial Aid Application
The MHEC One Application is an application for undocumented students who are eligible for the Maryland Dream Act to apply to be considered for Maryland state financial aid. Eligibility is determined on various factors. For information on this application please contact the MHEC OSFA office here.
Please submit the MHEC ONE APP by MARCH 1 each year for the following year's consideration. For example: If you are filling out the MSFFA for the year 2022-2023, you will be required to submit your MSFAA by March 1st of 2022.
For information on the Maryland State Financial Aid Application take a look at the user guide here. Please also take a look at their FAQs.
Parking
To park at UMD you must have a permit or pay the daily
visitor fee. If you park on campus without paying the
fee, tickets are expensive!
Immigrant Advocacy Resources
Know the Policies
Immigration Enforcement on Campuses: What You Need To Know
In 2021, the Maryland State Legislature passed multiple policies pertaining to immigration. These included policies prohibiting the state or any local jurisdiction from entering into agreements facilitating immigration-related detention by private entities; prohibiting governmental entities from entering into certain agreements to house immigration-related detainees; prohibiting a law enforcement agent from performing certain acts, subject to certain exceptions; requiring governmental entities to terminate existing contracts for the detention of immigration-related detainees by October 1, 2022. There are currently several sanctuary jurisdictions in Maryland - Limits upon use of detainers.
This 2015 list links to actual policies across the country. The Maryland Immigrant Rights Coalition (MIRC) offers definitions of 'sanctuary' as well as direct links to policies around the state of Maryland. Find some of this information copied from MIRC's website below:
"Prince George's County does not honor detainers without a valid warrant
Takoma Park does not assist in immigration-related investigations or arrests; prohibits city officials from "assisting federal officials with the investigation and arrest of any person for civil or criminal violations"; promotes non-discrimination; prohibits sharing immigration-related information with third parties except as required by law.
Washington DC only complies with detainers where the individual was convicted of certain violent crimes)"
American Immigration Council offers state fact sheets, which provide specific immigration related data and information about states throughout the country. Their interactive data map allows users to filter information about immigrants through national, state, county, metro area, and district lenses. Below are direct links to AIC's DC, Maryland, and Virginia fact sheets.
Birthright Citizenship: What It Is and Why We Need to Preserve It
The Immigrant Defense Project has created fliers and training so that affected people might learn how to handle situations with ICE and detainers within their rights.
The Migration Policy Institute is a non-partisan think tank dedicated to migration policy research. It produces fact-based reports and evaluations of flow patterns, current migration policies and trends, develops new migration related policies and offers a space of dialogue. Their work focuses on North America and Europe, but stretches globally.
Actions You Can Take
5 Ways Campuses Can Support Non-Citizen Students and Employees Post-Election
Coalition for Higher Ed - Events Page
The Congregation Action Network is a network that operates at the national, state, and local levels to advocate for government policies that support equal rights regardless of immigration status. Their advocacy page provides current opportunities / bills that need advocacy.
Donate to the Terp Dream Crisis Fund: "supports undocumented students facing crisis situations. While our resources are limited, we strive to assist students with a variety of urgent needs, including legal support, housing assistance, health and well-being resources, and transportation assistance."
Filming Immigration Enforcement in the U.S.
How Campuses Can Prepare to Support Undocumented Students & Safeguard their Data in Higher Education
President's Alliance - Webinar Recording and Resources: Post-Election Briefing on Higher Education and Immigration. (This is one example of the type of resources the President's Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration offers. They host regular, useful webinars, post fact sheets, and offer space for discussion).
The New Americans Campaign connects immigrants with a network of trusted naturalization experts at more than 200 partner organizations working in over 20 metropolitan areas across the U.S.
Undoc Students Opportunity Fund raises money for immediately UMD student needs and for DACA and work permit renewals for asylees. The funds help to provide rapid response resources, emergency funding, legal fees, and other critical areas of support to undocumented students at the University of Maryland. There have been no donations since 2023 - please circulate!
Worth Fighting For is a project dedicated to hosting community gatherings and providing toolkits for community organizations. They host frequent meetings and offer a space for you to host your own.
Legal and Financial Resources (DMV / Virtual)
Ayuda has a local immigration law team
The American Immigration Lawyers Association can help those in need find an immigration lawyer. Note that the consultations provided by UMD are not actual legal representation, so resources like this one could be very useful when searching for concrete representation
CASA - Maryland Legal Services
CASA - Citizenship Application Assistance Program in Maryland for Permanent Residents
Community Resources - Immigration Legal Resource Center (ILRC)
National Immigration Legal Services Directory
If in contact with the Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) please contact your immigration attorney and read your rights beforehand.
Correcting Myths About Immigrants
Myths being spread about immigrants and undocumented people are harmful and cause divides not only on our campus but throughout the country. Many of the myths currently in place are rooted in misinformation. We'd like to provide some links and examples to share some of the misconceptions about immigrant populations and how they can harm our community.
Below are some examples of immigration myths and their rebuttals taken from the American Action Forum. You can find this information in an infographic linked here from May 2021. For an elaborated version of this information, click here.
"The United States doesn't need more immigration"
Native birth rates are below the replacement level. No immigration means a smaller population, fewer workers, and a shrinking economy.
"Limiting legal immigration will help the economy"
Immigrants boost consumption, raise productivity, create jobs, and pay taxes - often at rates higher than native workers.
"Immigration threatens to bankrupt social security and the social safety net"
More immigration would create more payroll and more payroll taxes - ultimately delaying Social Security's financial difficulties.
"Immigrants are taking jobs and lowering wages"
For every 100 high-skilled immigrants, 182 jobs are created for the native born. For every 100 low-skilled immigrants, 464 jobs are created for the native born."
Further resources:
Debunking the Myth of Immigrants and Crime
Five Myths About Immigration: Common Misconceptions Underlying U.S. Border-Enforcement Policy
Guidebooks and Toolkits
A Guide to Applying to the Affordable Care Act for DACA Recipients
ICE Raids Toolkit: Defend Against ICE Raids and Community Arrests
Know Your Rights When Confronted by ICE
Know Your Rights Solidarity Signs (English and Español)
Knowing your rights and how to assert them: Free DC
United We Dream: Undocumented Student Guidebook
United We Dream: College Administrator Guidebook
Step-by-Step Family Preparedness Plan
Other Campus Resources
While CGMS is dedicated to providing support to immigrant students, faculty, staff, and community members, there are also other systems of support in place across campus. The Thrive Center for Essential Needs provides emergency and long-term support to student needs, ranging from housing and food accessibility to immigrant and first-generation services. Visit their webpage to check out their services.
Other on-campus support services include: The Counseling Center, The Career Center, Legal Aid with the Division of Student Affairs, and The Student Success Office.
The Thrive Center for Essential Needs