The pursuit for jobs, internships, and post-grad opportunities for undocumented and DACAmented students can be a strenuous process if you are not sure where to look. With the understanding that the process can be overwhelming at times, we wanted to ensure that students in this position have a starting point in their search.

Here you will also find pages and organizations that provide legal resources, financial resources, and even stories about undocumented people who have experiences in different fields. The information provided is not exhaustive, so please use this as a starting point in your search. You will also find additional DACA resources provided on The Butler Center's site. If you have any further questions, please visit the Career Center to speak with a Consultant. If there are any resources you think would be useful to add to our page, please email us to let us know.

Please contact organizations directly to confirm their eligibility requirements. Also, this Immigrant Rising guide provides some initial information regarding internships.

Are students with DACA eligible for summer employment opportunities?

Undocumented students approved for DACA and who have an Employment Authorization Document should be eligible for most, if not all, summer jobs. Employers cannot discriminate based on the term of the employment authorization. UCCS's page on Post-Graduation for ASSET/DACA/Undocumented Students is a great initial step to learn more. Also, visit the National Immigration Law Center's information about DACA and Workplace Rights.

Are undocumented students without DACA eligible for summer employment opportunities?

Undocumented students may have more limitations without a work permit, but there are still programs that work with students who are not approved for DACA or are still waiting for approval. The following are some of those programs:

STEM field Summer Programs

1. If you are looking for summer research opportunities and development programs in STEM fields, take a look at this crowd-sourced list
2. Pomona College compiled some resources specifically for pre-health internships open to undocumented and DACA students

Other Resources Regarding Internships and Fellowships

1. The UndocuUndergrads National Network supports undocumented students in college to connect with others, find internships, and receive guidance in pursuing different opportunities
2. Don't forget that Colorado College's Public Interest Fellowship Program provides opportunities for CC students that offer great support systems and networks

Post-Grad Opportunities

Pre-Health and Pre-Med

1. Pre-Health Dreamers support undocumented pre-health students through peer support and professional development. If you are searching for resources for information in related career paths or interested in their advocacy efforts for increased access to health careers and health care for the undocumented community, this is the place to begin
2. Admission Policies of Medical Schools Open to Undocumented and DACA Applicants

Law School

1. Dreamers Bar Association Facebook Group
2. The Law School Admissions Council (LSAC) offers fee waivers for the LSAT if you cannot pay the fee. Please note that you are only eligible for this waiver if you have DACA or have applied for DACA
3. For People of Color, Inc. empowers people of color to enter law school and become attorneys. Some of their programs are open to undocumented students and many of their resources are helpful in applying to law school regardless of status
4. The Mexican American Legal Defense And Educational Fund offers some resources and financial support open to undocumented students

Graduate School

1. UndocuPhDs is a collective of undocumented students interested in academia and undocumented students who are currently on their journey in a doctoral program. They use the term "UndocuPhDs" to define their work as researchers, community leaders, and advocates for the undocumented community
2. Navigating Graduate School: Guide for Undocumented Students (mostly tailored for those without DACA)
3. My Undocumented Life: On Applying to Graduate School While Undocumented: A Half-Essay, Half-Advice List
4. My Undocumented Life has helpful resources to apply to Graduate School and stories from undocumented students

Other employment opportunities

1. Social media has served to share a lot of opportunities among the undocumented community. Check out the DREAMer Jobs Facebook
2. University of Pennsylvania provides many resources to support undocumented students, including those with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) status including a list of Employers Interested in Hiring DACA Students

COMMUNITY & LEGAL RESOURCES

Colorado

1. MOSAIC at UCCS compiled local community organizations that provide local, social, and legal assistance. They also include a lot of great information and resources for undocumented students
2. Look for organizations in Colorado listed in the National Immigration Legal Services Directory which only includes nonprofit organizations that provide free or low-cost immigration legal services

National

1. Informed Immigrant's Know Your Rights is a holistic guide for anyone seeking more information about your rights outside and inside your home, your rights in the workplace, how to prepare your family, and much more
2. Immi created an accessible, online tool for people to see their possibilities for a path to legal status. This free tool directs people to legal information and refers them to nonprofit legal services
3. If you need funding for DACA renewals, this crowd-sourced DACA Renewal Efforts list provides the information of some organizations that began fundraising efforts for this cause (national organizations might be more fitting for applicants in Colorado)
4. MALDEF designed a DACA Record Request Toolkit to help DACA applicants gather the critical records needed to apply for the program

FUNDING RESOURCES

Databases with a variety of scholarships

1. DREAMer's Roadmap is a free national mobile app that helps find scholarships for undocumented students
2. Scholarships Open to Undocumented Students List (My Undocumented Life)
3. Immigrant Rising's List of Undergraduate Scholarships and Graduate Scholarships that don't require Proof of U.S. Citizenship or Legal Permanent Residency

Individual Scholarships

1. 2019 Point Foundation Scholarship: Open to Undocumented LGBTQ Students
2. Davis Putter Scholarship Funding Students Fighting for Social Change

Fellowships that support students through funding

1. The Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans support and honors immigrants and refugees pursuing full-time graduate degrees
2. Ford Foundation Fellowship Program provides predoctoral, dissertation, and post doctoral fellowships (DACA eligible)

Other

1. Immigrant Rising's Introduction to working for yourself: A guide for how to become an independent contractor