Defending the AU Dream Initiative

Join us for an informational session on how college students with DACA can travel abroad for educational purposes, including academic research, study abroad programs, and other educational exchanges. We will clarify the contours of Advance Parole, the risks of traveling abroad, and the requirements for putting together an application. This session is open to students and college administrators alike to join us on July 13, 2021 at 6pm EST as we learn and build community. Disclaimer: This session does not substitute for legal advice. Please consult with an immigration attorney before applying for Advance Parole. Also note that the event will not have a Q&A session, but attendees may send questions in advance to audream@wcl.american.edu.

On March 24, 2021, the members of the AU Dream Initiative conducted a virtual presentation for local high school activists to explain how grassroots activism led to the creation of DACA and where we can go from here. The presentation included a short, live advocacy workshop as well as a list of resources available to immigrant students considering higher education.

On March 11, 2021, the Immigrant Justice Clinic, including AU Dream Initiative member Zach Perez, published a comprehensive report of sanctuary policies in the DC Metropolitan area entitled: Sanctuary or Snare? As part of the publishing process, Zach Perez spoke before the DC Council Committee on Public Safety about current gaps in local sanctuary policies, such as a lack of data on ICE enforcement actions. The report in particular outlines the network of federal and local law enforcement that operate in the DC metropolitan area and is an invaluable resource to any immigrant living here. The report may be found here.

A new Defending the AU Dream Initiative (AU Dream) – supported by a generous gift from William L. Jacobs ’66 – is supporting expanded immigration legal services provided by the Immigrant Justice Clinic (IJC) starting this academic year. Services under the new initiative include representation of undergraduate and graduate students on DACA and other immigration-related matters at AU and at other institutions in the DC metro area.