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Helpful Resources

There are many online resources to seek and explore. We recommend exploring your local resources to know what type of support is available in your community, seek out and join national organizations to keep up with the always changing laws and policies, and find support groups to exchange experiences and knowledge. We’ve listed some resources and links used by students and advocates.

Local & Regional Support

Allan Hancock College Dream Club
The mission of the student led club, Dream Club is to promote available resources at Allan Hancock College to those who fall under AB 540 status, advocate for their interests, and provide financial assistance to those who receive limited assistance from the college due to their migrant status.

Central Coast Coalition for Undocumented Student Success
The Central Coast Coalition for Undocumented Student Success (CCC-USS) is comprised of faculty and staff from Allan Hancock College, California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly), and Cuesta College. We are dedicated to creating and sustaining a support system for students who are AB 540/undocumented and ensuring educational equity for all students. 

AB 540 Coalition of Santa Barbara County
The AB 540 Coalition of Santa Barbara is a group of local educators from public schools, community organizations, parents and students.  Our mission is to create social change by empowering AB 540 students, parents and allies with the information and tools necessary to access higher education.

IMPORTA of Santa Barbara
IMPORTA is a nonprofit organization authorized by the Justice Department to represent and provide legal counsel for low-income immigrants.

Educators for Fair Consideration (E4FC)
Empowering undocumented young people to achieve educational and career goals by providing information, resources, and financial support to undocumented young people.

Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC)
The ILRC provides legal trainings, educational materials, and advocacy to advance immigrant rights. You can find downloadable resource publications and up-to-date news relating to immigration policy and law.

UCLA Labor Center Dream Resource Center
Since its founding, the Dream Resource Center has emerged as a national source for innovative research, education, and policy on immigration issues.

805 Undocu Fund
The 805 UndocuFund is a collective effort among Ventura and Santa Barbara County based grassroots organizations to assist local undocumented immigrant individuals and families who are excluded from federally funded safety net programs; that have been economically impacted by the loss of their homes, wages, and / or employment due to disasters in our community like wildfires, mudslides, and the coronavirus.

California Student Aid Commission
California Nonresident Tuition Exemption commonly known as AB 540, exempts certain students from paying nonresident tuition (higher than resident tuition) and/or allows them to apply and receive state aid at certain California public and private colleges.

National Organizations

United We Dream
United We Dream is the largest immigrant youth-led organization in the nation. Our powerful nonpartisan network is made up of over 100,000 immigrant youth and allies and 55 affiliate organizations in 26 states. We organize and advocate for the dignity and fair treatment of immigrant youth and families, regardless of immigration status.

The Dream Us
The mission is to support DREAMers college access and success through a scholarship to Partner Colleges that are committed to their success and advocacy for tuition and aid equity.

American Civil Liberties Union
Describes recent legal challenges to anti-immigration legislation as well as facts and perspectives on detention, enforcement and other current issues. 

Asian Pacific American Legal Center of Southern California (APALC)
APALC is the nation’s largest legal organization serving the Asian and Pacific Islander (API) communities. Founded in 1983, APALC advocates for civil rights, provides legal services and education, and builds coalitions to positively influence and impact APIs and to create a more equitable and harmonious society.

Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF)
MALDEF was founded in 1968 in San Antonio, Texas, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF) is the leading nonprofit Latino litigation, advocacy and educational outreach institution in the United States. MALDEF mission is to foster sound public policies, laws and programs to safeguard the civil rights of the 45 million Latinos living in the United States and to empower the Latino community to fully participate in our society.

National Immigration Law Center (NILC)
Since 1979, the National Immigration Law Center (NILC) has been dedicated to protecting and promoting the rights of low income immigrants and their family members.  In the past 20 years, NILC has earned a national reputation as a leading expert on immigration, public benefits, and employment laws affecting immigrants and refugees.  Its extensive knowledge of the complex interplay between immigrants' legal status and their rights under U.S. laws is an essential resource for legal aid programs, community groups, and social service agencies across the country.

Salvadoran American Leadership and Educational Fund (SALEF)
SALEF was founded in 1995 in Los Angeles by a group of Salvadoran and Salvadoran American activists. SALEF’s mission is to advocate for the educational advancement, civic participation, leadership and economic prosperity of Salvadoran and other Latino communities in the U.S.; and to advance democracy and social justice in the U.S. and El Salvador.

Other Support Network

My Undocumented Life
The mission at My Undocumented Life is to provide up-to-date information and resources to undocumented immigrants. They post scholarship opportunities that are open to undocumented students, strategies for navigating the educational system, information on how to apply for DACA/Advanced Parole, news on DAPA, and much more.

Pre-Health Dreamers
As a nationwide network of students, educators, and allies, PHD’s mission is to support undocumented pre-health students through serving as a Community of students and allies offering peer support and professional development, a Resource of unprecedented knowledge on related career pathways, an Advocate for increased access to health careers and health care for the undocumented community.

UndocuTravelers' Blog
Want to read a real personal experience of the process of Advance Parole, traveling and entry to the United States? Check out this blog!

Define American
Define American is a non-profit media and culture organization that uses the power of story to transcend politics and shift the conversation about immigrants, identity, and citizenship in a changing America.