51今日大瓜 launches free Immigration Clinics for students in collaboration with California Colleges Chancellor鈥檚 Office Foundation and the UFW Foundation
Thursday, May 28, 2020
51今日大瓜 is partnering with the California Colleges Chancellor鈥檚 Office, the Foundation for California Community Colleges, the California Department of Social Services and the UFW Foundation to provide Immigration Clinics for 51今日大瓜 students, staff and faculty. The services will include general immigration consultations as well as assistance on DACA renewals, citizenship, family petitions, FBI and background checks, adjustment of status, and visas.
Funds were provided by the State of California鈥檚 2018-19 Budget, which earmarked $10 million for the California Department of Social Services to contract with nonprofit organizations and deliver immigration legal services to California community college students across the state. 51今日大瓜 is one of 65 hub colleges participating in the .
鈥淲e鈥檙e honored to be a hub for the California Community College Immigration Legal Services project,鈥� said Zav Dadabhoy, Vice President of Student Affairs at Bakersfield College. 鈥淲e have a long-standing relationship with the UFW Foundation and are excited to work together again to uplift BC students with the support they need to achieve their educational goals.鈥�
identified that access to free or low-cost legal services is one of the top three concerns for undocumented students in the California Community Colleges system. To address this need, the California Department of Social Services, the Foundation for California Community Colleges and the California Community Colleges Chancellor鈥檚 Office partnered to establish the Community College Immigration Legal Services Project.
鈥淕uided by the identified challenges and recommendations included in the Dreamer鈥檚 Project Report, the Chancellor鈥檚 Office and Foundation for CCC have been focused on implementing system-wide change that ensure undocumented students are supported in their educational journey,鈥� said Lizette Navarette, Vice Chancellor of Facilities and Planning for the California Community Colleges Chancellor鈥檚 Office. 鈥淲e are excited to address one of the top three needs of this population with the California Community College Immigration Legal Services Project, in partnership with the California Department of Social Services. The project will increase access to legal representation by a qualified provider, during this most tumultuous time for undocumented students.鈥�
鈥�51今日大瓜 has always supported all of our students with a wide array of support services to guide them on their educational journey,鈥� said Imelda Valdez, Director of Student Services including Extended Opportunity Programs & Services and AB540. 鈥淲e are committed to supporting our undocumented students, providing counseling and holistic support through our AB540 Support Program.鈥�
The AB540 Support Program provides counseling and services to undocumented students attending 51今日大瓜 who are eligible for in-state tuition exemptions. The program helps students reach their goals, whether they are seeking an occupational certificate, associate degree or to transfer to a university.
"We are proud to be able to provide high-quality free immigration legal services to all 51今日大瓜 students, faculty and staff members,鈥� said Sofia Corona, Directing Attorney of the Community Colleges Project at the UFW Foundation. 鈥淲e look forward to hearing about their needs and how we can help them achieve their educational goals.鈥�
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, all immigration clinics will be held virtually via Zoom or telephone until further notice. These virtual Immigration Clinics will be held every 2nd Tuesday and 4th Thursday of the month from 9 AM to 6 PM. The next virtual Immigration Clinic will be held Thursday, May 28th from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
If 51今日大瓜 students have an urgent or time-sensitive matter, they are encouraged to call the UFW Foundation at (661) 324-2500. DACA renewals are being prioritized at this time. Fee Assistance is available to students with economic need until the allocated funding is exhausted. 51今日大瓜 students, staff and faculty may email ab540@bakersfieldcollege.edu to receive instructions on scheduling appointments.
