Undocumented at Stanford site offers resources and support

When Christina Kim was looking at graduate schools, she searched Stanford’s website for information for undocumented students. She found a single page with legal information about DACA, a government program that allows people who were brought to the United States as children and are not legally in the country to stay and work in the U.S. 

“I remember feeling honestly terrified,” said Kim, a third-year Ph.D. student in musicology who is a DACA recipient. “There were no resources that were very reassuring to me as a prospective student.”

But now, thanks to a university working group on undocumented students, an updated and redesigned Undocumented at Stanford website showcases student resources – some new and some longstanding – available at Stanford.

Designed by and for students

“The goal is for students to feel like they are seen, that there are support systems, and that they’re not invisible,” said Ankita Rakhe, assistant dean for student support in the Office of Inclusion, Community and Integrative Learning.

A key new resource: The working group collaborated with the Stanford Federal Credit Union to make it possible for students who don’t have a Social Security number to open an account and get a credit card.

“This was a direct request from students,” Rakhe said.

The site’s design and language — as well as the resources it highlights — are meant to convey support for undocumented students. 

Serving a diverse population

The website includes a list of the members of the working group — which Kim said not only shows the work the university has done on this issue, but also gives undocumented students a list of staff members who will be supportive and knowledgeable. 

The working group also prioritized supporting the diverse population of undocumented students: Some, like Kim, are DACA recipients who have authorization to work in the United States and can hold campus jobs; others cannot legally work. Likewise, some undocumented students go to great lengths to hide their status, Rakhe said, whereas others are vocal advocates for students like themselves.

“We give them advice on both ends: We want you to be proud and we don’t want you to feel like you have to hide your identity – but be mindful of people who might not believe you belong here,” Rakhe said.  

Other highlights of the redesigned site:

• Information for prospective students. As Kim discovered during her graduate school search, it used to be complicated for undocumented applicants to Stanford to find information specifically for them. Now all the information is in one spot, under the section labeled Students.
• Funding and finances information. The Campus Resources portion of the site includes a section on paying for Stanford, making it easier for undocumented students to see what type of funding is available to them. It also has more general financial information.
• Advocacy updates. The site showcases the university’s advocacy for undocumented students.
• Webinar links. For students who are reluctant to attend a live event, the website has links to recordings of the informational webinars the university has put on for undocumented students.
• Information on rights and safety. The website includes information on undocumented students’ rights, as well as emergency contact information. One section explains that the Stanford Department of Public Safety does not look at immigration status and does not work with other agencies on immigration matters unless it is legally required.