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AIM to Dream
Center

Welcome to the AIM to Dream Center

The mission of the Advance , Innovate, and Maintain (AIM) to Dream Center is to help undocumented students, students from mixed-status families overcome the unique challenges that get in the way of achieving academic, personal and professional excellence. The Center is committed in advocating for undocumented students who want to pursue the dream of higher education.

AIM to Dream Center

Allan Hancock College’s AIM to Dream Center provides an inclusive and embracing space for undocumented students, mixed-status families, and allies. The Dream Center provides holistic support to help students meet their academic and personal goals! Services include FREE immigration legal services, technology support, undocumented-centered events, free Rosetta Stone language learning software, AIM scholarships, and workshops.

Hours

Santa Maria (Building K, room 11c)   
Monday: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. 
Tuesday: 8 a.m. - 6 p.m.
Wednesday: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Thursday: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Friday: 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Lompoc Valley Center (2-111) 
Please contact our office for LVC dates

If you need assistance, please email aimstudent@hancockcollege.edu, gemma.garcia@hancockcollege.edu, or call us at 805-922-6966 Ext. 3177

The AIM to Dream Center is open for in-person services as well as remote (phone/zoom). If you are on campus, we encourage you to come in and utilize our services and/or receive help! We are located in the Business Education Building, room K11c

Meet Our Staff

Gemma Garcia

AIM to Dream Center Coordinator 
gemma.garcia@hancockcollege.edu
805-922-6966 Ext. 3783

Amalia Jimenez Chavez

AIM to Dream Center OST
amalia.jimeneztrejo@hancockcollege.edu
805-922-6966 Ext.3179

Learning Facilitators and Interns

Andrea Salazar

aimstudent@hanckcollege.edu
805-922-6966 Ext.3177

Mariana Trujillo

aimstudent@hanckcollege.edu
805-922-6966 Ext.3177

Omar Gomez

aimstudent@hanckcollege.edu
805-922-6966 Ext.3177

Rubi Basurto

aimstudent@hanckcollege.edu
805-922-6966 Ext.3177

Virginia Martinez

aimstudent@hanckcollege.edu
805-922-6966 Ext.3177

 

DREAM Club

The Dream Club is a staff and student-led club supporting and advocating for undocumented students. We advocate for immigrants' rights and support students in achieving higher education access. We also raise funds to provide scholarships and undocumented-centered events. We welcome all undocumented students from mixed-status families and allies to join us. New members are always welcome! You belong here!

Nuestras juntas son en Español e Ingles.

Add us in Instagram!  @ahc_dreamclub

End of the year celebration and last Dream Club meeting for fall 2023

  • Friday, Dec.8, 2023. from 2pm to 4pm. Room A103.

To get more information about the Dream Club, please contact the AIM to Dream Center at 805-922-6966 Ext.3177 or email aimstudent@hancockcollege.edu

 


Workshops

See 2023 AHC Undocu Student Action Week! 

 

FREE IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES

Allan Hancock College and UFW Foundation are partnering to provide free immigration legal services to All students, faculty, and staff.

Students enrolled, in any capacity, at California Community Colleges can now access FREE immigration legal support from trusted direct service organizations. 

IMMIGRATION LEGAL SERVICES

SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT

Central Coast Coalition for Undocumented Student Success

CCC-USS strives to support the undocumented community of the Central Coast. We serve Northern Santa Barbara county and San Luis Obispo county students, educators, family members, and allies. Read about our work here

CA Community College Undocumented Resources

CA Dream Act Service Incentive Grant Program

The California Dream Act Service Incentive Grant Program (DSIG) encourages California Dream Act Applicant (CADAA) Students with a Cal Grant A award that met Cal Grant B eligibility or a Cal Grant B award to perform community or volunteer service.  The California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) will award up to $4,500 per academic year (up to $2,250 per semester) to 1,667 eligible students. The grant will be available to the student for up to 8 semesters while they have an active Cal Grant A or B award. Students must also meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and complete any necessary verification for their Cal Grant award.

For more information visit CSAC website or contact the AIM to Dream Center Office

National Immigration Legal Services Directory

Use the link below to search for immigration legal services providers by state, county, or detention facility. Only nonprofit organizations that provide free or low-cost immigration legal services are included in this directory.

 #FindYourAlly - Higher Education Legal Services Project 

What is Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)

DACA is an administrative relief that protects eligible immigrants who came to the United States when they were children from deportation. DACA gives undocumented immigrants: 1) protection from deportation, and 2) a work permit. The program requires that the DACA status and work permit be renewed every two years.

On August 30, 2022 the Biden Administration issued a new rule on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) that will incorporate DACA into the Federal Regulations. Since its announcement, there have been several questions around who can access DACA now and what it means for all those first-time applicants who are waiting to obtain DACA.  Below are a few key points for you to keep in mind as you navigate access to DACA now and when the rule goes into effect on October 31, 2022.

DACA Court Hearing June 2023

On June 1, 2023, Judge Hanen from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas heard arguments for the DACA case, Texas v. United States, again.

Case Background

The case was sent back to the lower court in October 2022 after the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the ruling that DACA is unlawful. The Fifth Circuit asked that Judge Hanen review the case considering the new DACA regulation formalized by the Biden Administration.

Potential Next Steps

Given Judge Hanen’s prior decisions in this case, it is likely he will again declare that DACA is unlawful. If he rules against DACA, the case will likely return to the Fifth Circuit.

We don’t know when Judge Hanen will issue his decision—it could be days or months from now.

What this means for DACA recipients

It’s important to remember that Judge Hanen cannot take away DACA renewals for current DACA recipients —only the appeals court, or later, the Supreme Court, can change that. While we wait for a decision remember that:

  • DACA renewals are still open. This could change, which is why we urge you to renew as soon as possible while the courts are still allowing these applications to be processed.
  • First-time DACA applications continue to stay in limbo and will not be processed.
  • Advance parole for current DACA recipients is still available.

We understand that this rollercoaster of court cases is exhausting and unfair. We stand with you, and we will never stop fighting to protect our communities. Our communities deserve to be safe; we deserve to be free from the extreme stress and fear that comes with the threat of deportation and to continue planning our lives with certainty and stability.

Timeline: Texas v. United States

July 16, 2021: Judge Hanen from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas ruled that DACA is unlawful. But the court allowed people with DACA to continue to renew. The court blocked USCIS from processing first-time DACA requests.

September 2021: The Biden administration appealed the decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

July 6, 2022: Oral argument took place at the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals for the case.

August 30, 2022: The Biden Administration published their final rule on DACA.

October 5, 2022: The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals published a decision on the case, affirming that DACA is illegal and sending the case back down to the Texas District Court.

October 31, 2022: The Biden Administration’s DACA regulations went into effect.

June 1, 2023: Judge Hanen from the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas heard oral arguments again for the DACA case, this time focusing on the Biden Administration’s DACA rule.

What’s Next?

Now we wait for a decision from Judge Hanen from the Texas District Court. This could take weeks or months. We likely expect the decision to be negative based on how the judge has ruled before.

After that, it is likely that the case will go up to the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, and assuming another negative decision there could make its way to the Supreme Court, most likely for a decision in 2025.

First-time applicants
First-time applications are currently accepted by USCIS, but they are still prohibited from processing the application under the Texas court order. As of June 1, 2023, we do not know if this will change.

See first-time DACA FAQs below

Current DACA recipients
Renewals are allowed while the case is being decided in the U.S. District Court by Judge Hanen. Remember that he cannot take away DACA for current DACA recipients —only the appeals court, or later, the Supreme Court, can change that.

See DACA renewal FAQs below

  • My DACA expired less than a year ago. If your DACA expired under a year ago, USCIS will still process your renewal request as a renewal.
  • My DACA expired over a year ago. If your DACA expired over a year ago, while you may still file for DACA, it will be considered an initial– or first-time– DACA request, and thus while USCIS will accept it, it may not process it under the Texas court order.

Advance parole – permission to travel abroad
AP continues open while renewals are still open.

DACA recipients that have a valid reason for traveling abroad can still request advance parole, or permission to travel abroad. A valid reason to travel abroad for a DACA recipient is an employment-based reason, a humanitarian reason, or an educational reason. Vacation is not a valid reason under the DACA rules. Find out more about advance parole on our guide and always consult with an immigration lawyer before traveling outside the United States.

See advance parole FAQs below

What can we do now?
It’s important that Congress pass permanent solutions for people with or without DACA, TPS holders, farmworkers, essential workers, and our family members.

Source: Informed Immigrant

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Campus Locations:

Santa Maria Campus

Santa Maria Campus

800 South College Drive
Santa Maria, CA 93454
1-805-922-6966
Virtual Tour of SM Campus
Map of SM Campus

Parking at Hancock Locations

Lompoc Valley Center

Lompoc Valley Center

One Hancock Drive
Lompoc, CA 93436
1-805-735-3366
Virtual Tour of LVC and PSTC
Map of LVC

Santa Maria Campus

Santa Ynez Valley Center

2975 East Hwy 246 (SYVHS)
Santa Ynez, CA 93460
1-805-922-6966 ext. 3355
Virtual Tour of SYVC
Map of SYVC

Santa Maria Campus

Vandenberg SFB Center
641 Utah Ave, Bldg. 13640, Rm. 216
Vandenberg Space Force Base, CA 93437, 1-805-734-3500

Virtual Tour of VSFB Center