They are future doctors, engineers, psychologists, and educators. They work\u2014often two jobs\u2014to pay for school. They participate in clubs and make lasting friendships, just like their peers.<\/p>\n
The difference?<\/p>\n
They are among the nation\u2019s 6,500 undocumented students\u2014children born abroad who are not U.S. citizens or legal residents. In their lives, most every interaction, application, and career aspiration often involves some level of fear and uncertainty.<\/p>\n
For these students\u2014eager for higher education\u2014Augsburg, with its commitment to intentional diversity, has become a refuge. Since 2007, the college has worked with and for undocumented students, inviting them to apply and supporting them throughout their time on campus and beyond. Dulce Monterrubio<\/strong>, director of Latin@ Student Services, said the campus continues to bolster its financial assistance and support of the undocumented population, currently more than 50 students.<\/p>\n \u201cThese are some of the most hard-working students I\u2019ve ever met, and they are navigating college without any access to federal assistance and often with significant stress about their future and their family,\u201d said Monterrubio, who has served as director since 2014. \u201cIt\u2019s been inspiring to see this campus come together \u2026 helping [these students] achieve their dreams and contribute to society.\u201d<\/p>\n Augsburg has experienced an increase in its undocumented population since 2012, when the federal government announced the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals\u00a0(DACA) program, which provides temporary relief from deportation for eligible undocumented young adults, as well as renewable two-year work permits. In November 2015, President Barack Obama announced an expansion of the DACA program to cover older undocumented people who did not meet the 2012 age restriction and cut-off date.<\/p>\n