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 Visit us online undocumented.umd.edu or e-mail undoc@umd.edu
A Newsletter Centering DACA Recipients Experiences
Beyond Barriers, Hardship, and Borders
Welcome!
This newsletter is dedicated to all undocumented students who are DACA recipients and are currently navigating through uncertainty as they wait for the Supreme Court of the United States to make a decision on DACA. We honor your courage, vulnerability, and are reminded of and thankful for the resilience that you share with us every day. Thank you. 
For more information on DACA renewals, financial support, and the Supreme Court decision click here.
Testimonies from UMD Alumni, Undergraduate, and Graduate students 

"Undocumented students account for more than 450,000 or approximately 2 percent of all students in higher education in the U.S.

Among undocumented students, students with DACA or who are eligible for DACA (hereafter referred to as “DACA-eligible”) constitute a subset of approximately 216,000 students or 1 percent of all students in higher education." (Feldblum et al. 1)

"There are 16,000 Undocumented Students in Postsecondary Education in the state of Maryland." (Feldblum et al. 3)

"A little less than half (46 percent) of all undocumented students in higher education are Hispanic/Latinx, 25 percent are Asian American and Pacific Islander, 15 percent are Black, 12 percent are white, and 2 percent are classified as “other.” Among DACA-eligible students, 65 percent are Latinx, 17 percent are Asian American and Pacific Islander, 7 percent are Black, 10 percent are White, and 1 percent are classified as “other.” (Feldblum et al. 5)

"Policies that expand access to higher education to undocumented or DACA-eligible students result in increasing college enrollment for disadvantaged students while also bolstering local and state workforces." 

(Feldblum et al. 6)

"In their pursuit of higher education, undocumented students actively ready themselves to fill critical skills shortages, including in healthcare, STEM fields, teaching, and business, and become better positioned to support their families, communities, and regional and national economies." (Feldblum et al. 6)

"Eighty-two percent of all undocumented immigrant students are enrolled in two- or four-year public colleges, while just 18 percent are enrolled in private colleges. For DACA-eligible students, the percentage enrolled in public colleges is even higher, at 84 percent." (Feldblum et al. 4)

"Among all undocumented students, 10 percent are pursuing graduate and professional degrees, while 13 percent of DACA-eligible students are pursuing graduate and professional degrees." (Feldblum et al. 4)

"Thirty-nine percent of all undocumented students pursuing graduate degrees have an undergraduate degree in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics field. Of DACA-eligible students who are pursuing an advanced degree, 43 percent have an undergraduate degree in a STEM field." (Feldblum et al. 4)

"Immigration over the past 40 years and the rise of immigrant students pursuing higher education have greatly contributed to college enrollments in the past decades while strengthening campus diversity." (Feldblum et al. 6)

Twenty-five students have been financially supported to renew their DACA ($495) through the PLUMAS Dream Fund. You can donate by clicking here. 


 Get Involved!
What is Migrating Shells?
A newly formed student organization started during the Spring semester of 2020. 

What is the purpose of Migrating Shells?

The purpose of Migrating Shells is to provide a space for students with an immigrant identity or experience and foster a community of support and well-being. That is to help improve the students’ experience and sense of belonging at the University of Maryland. Migrating Shells will also be a space where students will be able to explore and combat the negative and taboo perceptions of immigration and migration. By uplifting their immigrant experience, identity, and history. Migrating Shells will also serve to inform and educate students in the community about current events, issues, and misconceptions about immigration/migration. Immigration is a very political topic and therefore this organization will have opportunities to engage in advocacy and community service opportunities. Migrating Shells will center the humanity of immigrants and be in solidarity with groups, people, and issues that also affect immigrant communities.    

Learn more about Migrating Shells by clicking here. 
Thank You
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