Welcome to San Joaquin Delta College!

Our mission is the right for everyone to be able to pursue higher education without fear and to also acknowledge that the path for students and families who are undocumented to pursue higher education requires more determination, strength, and resilience than should be expected, or is fair. San Joaquin Delta College is committed to providing information, resources, a sense of community, and confidentially to all communities who are pursuing education.

The Dreamers Success Center supports students who are Undocumented, of Immigrant Status, AB 540, and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrival (DACA) recipients by offering free legal and counseling services and other resources. 

San Joaquin Delta College Board of Trustees unanimously approved and adopted Resolution 16-54 in recognition of Statement of Support of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program and our undocumented immigrant students on December 13, 2016.

Steps to Apply 

Currently the steps to apply as an undocumented students are located on the Apply to Delta College page. https://www.deltacollege.edu/apply Select "Undocumented Students / Dreamers" under Type of Student 

One on One Appointments

Schedule appointments with:

  • Ester Marquez Perez at (209) 425-2646
    In Person Hours:  Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 8 am-5 pm
  • Virtual Hours: Monday and Friday 8 am - 5 pm
  • Aimee Cheatham at (209) 553-8019
    Availability:  Monday 8am-1pm, Tuesday 11:30am-4:30pm, Wednesday 8am-1pm, Thursday 8am-1pm
     
  • Via email at: dreamers@deltacollege.edu

 

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Free Legal Services

General Consultations, DACA renewals, U-Visas, Special Immigrant Juvenile Visas, Family Petitions, Naturalization (Citizenship), FBI and background checks and more!

We highly encourage you to only work with one attorney

 

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Mentorship For Higher Education Program

To advance economic stability of communities by increasing community college degree completion rates among students. This will be done by providing students with services that include, case management, weekly check-ins, emergency financial aid, as well as support programs and personal support.

Requirements:

  • Enrolled in at least 9 units at San Joaquin Delta College.
  • Seeking a 2-year degree or transfer to a 4-year institution.
  • One monthly check in with a Student Navigator.

Student Navigator Contact Information:

Rigoberto Lomas-Velazco
Phone: (209) 406-1181
Email: rlomasvelazco@ccstockton.org

 

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I am / Yo Soy Student Club

The I am/Yo Soy is a student organization dedicated to advocate and empower undocumented and immigrant students and their families at Delta 

Follow I Am / Yo Soy on social media:     Instagram Logo   Facebook Logo

 

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Coffee Talks

Coffee Talks is a safe space for undocumented students and allies to build community with one another while addressing mental health and topics related to the undocumented student experience

Held every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month via Zoom. If you are interested in joining, contact either Esther Marquez Perez 209-425-2646 or at dreamers@deltacollege.edu 

 

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Empowering Women

The mission of Empowering women is to support and empower English as a Second Language Learner (ESL) students as they transition from ESL courses to college courses. The goals is to empower one another, develop leadership through volunteer opportunities, and overcome obstacles together.  

For more information, contact Maricela Gonzalez at empoweringwomen38@gmail.com.

Follow Empowering Women on Facebook.    Facebook Logo 

 

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Mental Health Counseling 

Short-term personal counseling, up to 6 sessions, provided by Professional Clinical Counseling Interns in partnership with CSU Stanislaus. All personal counseling appointments will be virtual via Zoom during the Summer term. Zoom appointments are available Mondays-Thursdays 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. & Fridays 8 -11 a.m.

To schedule an Appointment:

For more information, please visit the Counseling Center Home page.

 

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Dreamers Conference 

The annual Dreamers Conference is intended to connect Undocumented Status Students with on and off campus resources as well as to empower students and their families to pursue higher education regardless of their immigration status. Past workshops have included topics on Entrepreneurship, Know Your Rights, AB 540 and California Dream Act application. For information on the upcoming conference email dreamers@deltacollege.edu or call Esther Marquez Perez (209) 425-2646.

Delta Dream Conference 2022

 

 

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Helpful Links and Resources

Support for Undocumented Individuals During the Coronavirus (Covid-19) Crisis

List of Resources

Immigrants Rising has put together a list of resources to help undocumented individuals and allies navigate the Coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. Please contact us if there are additional resources that you would like to add to this document. We will continue to update the list as the situation develops. 

Immigrants Rising Resource List

DACA Renewals in the Middle of COVID-19 Crisis

In light of an impending Supreme Court decision about DACA amidst the COVID-19 crisis, it is recommended that DACA recipients strongly consider renewing their status as soon as possible. Use this recourse from United We Dream for the top 5 things you should know about renewals.

DACA Renewals With New USCIS Guidelines

 

SB 68/AB 540 ATTENDANCE WORKSHEET

Visit Immigrants Rising's website for the SB 68/AB 540 Attendance Worksheet, or download the file below.

SB 68/AB 540 Attendance Worksheet

 

Information for Undocumented Students
Who are Undocumented Students

By definition, an undocumented student is a foreign national who:

  1. entered the United States without inspection or with fraudulent documents; or
  2. entered legally as a nonimmigrant but then violated the terms of his or her status and remained in the United States without authorization (as defined by the National Immigration Law Center).

In contrasts, a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) is defined as a person who was granted the right to live permanently in the United States. An LPR is a “green card” holder that is allowed to legally work and live in the United States.

What is AB540?

AB 540 exempts certain students from paying nonresident tuition (higher than resident tuition) and allows them to apply for different types of California Dream Act financial aid.

Students must have:

  1. Satisfaction of either of the following:
    1. High School attendance in California for three or more years.
    2. Attainment of credits earned in California from a California high school equivalent to three or more years of full-time high school coursework and a total of three or more years of attendance in California elementary schools, California secondary schools, or a combination of those schools.
  2. Graduated or will graduate from a California high school or obtained a Certificate or General Education Development (GED), High School Equivalency Test (HiSET), or test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC).
  3. Will register or enroll in an accredited and qualifying California college or university.
  4. If applicable, complete(d) an affidavit to legalize immigration status as soon as you are eligible.
  5. Do not hold a valid non-immigrant visa ( F, J, H, L, A, B, C, D, E, etc. )**

If you meet the requirements above, you should complete the CA Dream Act Application for financial aid. ( A certified GPA is also necessary for Cal Grant consideration.) Your college is responsible for verifying your AB 540 eligibility. Check with your Admissions Office early in the summer before the Fall Term starts.

**If you have Temporary Protected Status or hold a U Visa you may be eligible for the California Dream Act. AB 1899 allows U and T visa holders to also apply for state financial aid. (T visa holders should file a FAFSA, U visa holders should file a CA Dream Act Application)

What Financial Aid Can A Dreamer Apply For?
  • Cal Grant, Chafee Grant, Middle-Class Scholarship
  • UC Grants, State University Grants
  • California College Promise Grant (Formerly BOG Fee Waiver)
  • EOP/EOPS - Some University scholarships
  • Some private scholarships administered by campuses

Application deadline for all Dreamer Cal Grants and most of the other aid listed above is March 2.

Dreamer Cal Grants include:

  • High School Entitlement Cal Grant A & B
  • CCC Transfer Entitlement Cal Grant A & B
  • Cal Grant C

Dreamers are not eligible to receive Competitive Cal Grants.

A Dreamer Cal Grant application

A Dreamer Cal Grant application = CA Dream Act Application + Non-SSN GPA

You can submit your GPA the following ways:

  • Non-SSN - - Best!
  • SSN (with your DACA) - but you MUST make sure you include your DACA SSN on Question #8 of your CA Dream Act Application (may slow down processing of your application)

You must meet the application deadline and all applicable eligibility requirements to qualify for any financial aid listed above.

For other financial aid and resources for Dreamers visit: e4fc.org, maldef.org.

What is DACA?

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is a federal process that defers removal action of an individual by USCIS for a specified number of years.

  • It is not the same as financial aid
  • It does not grant lawful immigration status
  • It does allow individuals to apply for an SSN and work authorization

CA Dreamers should still file a CA Dream Act Application instead of a FAFSA and submit a Non-SSN GPA. If you or your school submits your certified GPA using your DACA SSN, make sure you include that DACA SSN on question #8 of your CA Dream Act Application.

For more info about DACA visit:

College Resources:

 

Additional links and Resources for Undocumented Students

 

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Local Resources

California Rural Legal Assistance (Stockton Office)
145 East Weber Avenue, Stockton CA 95202
Phone: (209) 946-0605

California Rural Legal Assistance Foundation (CRLAF)
2210 K Street, Suite 201
Sacramento, CA 95816
(916) 446-7901 Office Phone

Council for the Spanish Speaking (Stockton Office)
445 North San Joaquin Street
Stockton, CA 95202
Phone: (209) 644-2600