The Miramar College Dreamers Support Office produces many workshops and events to both inform and entertain our undocumented and immigrant students and their family members. Our workshops and engagement events are always FREE and open to all students regardless of status. Some events may require pre-registration, so read the descriptions.
Family members are highly encouraged to attend workshops to learn alongside their student!
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Conference | Program Workshops | Coffee & Crafts | Undocu-Circles | Partner Workshops
2024 Undocu-Student Conference
Save the Date: May 3rd for the 2024 SDCCD Undocumented Student Conference: Breaking Barriers through Knowledge and Community Resources! This District-wide event will be hosted at San Diego City College. Students from all four campuses are welcome to attend. FREE lunch provided upon RSVP (registration details to come).
Conference Details
- Theme: Breaking Barriers through Knowledge and Community Resources
- Date: May 3, 2024
- Time: 8:30 am to 1:30 pm
- Location: San Diego City College
- FREE lunch with RSVP, more details to come
- Open to all SDCCD students
Conference Workshops
- SDCCD Programs and Services for Undocumented Students
- Next Steps for Continuing Education Students: Start Here!
- Four-Year University Access and Support
- Dream Act 101: How to Pay for College! (two sessions)
- Healthcare is for Everyone: Resources for Undocumented Students
- Income-Generating: Making Money With or Without Work Authorization
- Know Your Rights
- ITIN: What is it, and Why You Need One
For more information, or to request disability services (at least five business days in advance), contact Dean Lillian A. Garcia at lgarcia002@sdccd.edu.
Program Workshops
Paying for College: Dream Act 101
College Hour Session
📅 Thursday, February 15, 2024, from 12:30–1:30 pm
💻 via Zoom; register at bit.ly/money4college21524
Evening Session
📅 Friday, February 16, 2024, from 5:00–6:00 pm
💻 via Zoom; register at bit.ly/money4college21624
Did you know that undocumented and immigrant students have to apply for financial aid with a different application than U.S. citizen-students? It's true! Learn about the California Dream Act Application (CADAA), which is the application for state-funded financial aid for undocumented and most immigrant students, in this workshop so you don't lose access to the aid you are eligible for.
The application deadline is March 2. The Miramar Dream Team is hosting a one-hour workshop for students with last minute questions about the Dream Act application.
For disability accommodations email eborek@sdccd.edu using the subject line "Dreamers event accommodations."
Paying for College: In-State Tuition (AB 540)
College Hour Session
📅 Tuesday, March 12, 2024, from 12:30–1:30 pm
💻 via Zoom; register at bit.ly/tuition31224
Evening Session
📅 Friday, March 15, 2024, from 5:00–6:00 pm
💻 via Zoom; register at bit.ly/tuition31524
Your immigration status affects the cost of enrollment—how much you pay for classes at Miramar College. It is possible for undocumented and immigrant students to pay the lesser "in-state tuition" fee if they are eligible for an exemption from paying non-resident tuition under a law called AB 540.
Learn more about how much college will cost you and if you are AB 540 eligible in this short Zoom presentation. You will also get a FREE AB 540 Eligibility Workbook and one-on-one support.
For disability accommodations email eborek@sdccd.edu using the subject line "Dreamers event accommodations."
Dreamers Fall Open House
📅 TBD, Fall 2024
📍 Dreamers Support Office, K1-304 (third floor of the Student Services Building)
The Dreamers Support Services Office provides programs and services to help empower undocumented and immigrant students to achieve their academic & personal pursuits and become active members of our community.
The Dream Team, the Dreamers Program staff, is here to welcome you to Miramar College. We can assist with one-on-one support services and referrals to other Student Services Departments and outside agencies, like FREE immigration legal aid.
For disability accommodations email eborek@sdccd.edu using the subject line "Dreamers event accommodations."
ITINs, Taxes, and Tacos🌮
📅 TBD, Fall 2024
📍 K1-107, Student Services Building
We're serving up FREE tacos and tax advice* for undocumented and immigrant students and their families!
The Dreamers Support Office and our partners will explain what an ITIN, an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, is and why all undocu-students need one—from earning money without work authorization, applying for financial aid, to paying taxes as you pursue a pathway to citizenship.
For disability accommodations email eborek@sdccd.edu using the subject line "Dreamers event accommodations."
*Disclosure: The Dreamers Support Office staff are not tax professionals and the information presented in this workshop is for general educational and entertainment purposes only. Always consult a certified tax professional and appropriate legal representation when considering your unique financial, tax, and/or legal situation.
Undocu-Hustle: Earning Money Without Work Authorization
📅 TBD, Fall 2024
📍 REC Innovation Lab, C-103 (Diesel Technology Building)
Are you ready to learn how to generate income through entrepreneurship and freelancing? Anyone, regardless of immigration status, can make money by building their own business and working for themselves.
The Dreamers Support Services Office in partnership with the Career Center and the REC Innovation Lab at San Diego Miramar College will help you discover how you can leverage your talents and education to get your Undocu-Hustle on as an entrepreneur! You'll also learn how to earn a living as an independent contractor or gig economy worker as we guide you through an interactive group activity and personalized workbook.
For disability accommodations email eborek@sdccd.edu using the subject line "Dreamers event accommodations."
Know Your Rights with HELS
📅 TBD, Fall 2024
💻 via Zoom; registration link coming soon
The Higher Education Legal Services (HELS) has partnered with San Diego Miramar College to offer FREE immigration legal consultations to students. Chances of running into law enforcement are greater when living in a border community like San Diego. Our partners at HELS are here to teach undocumented students like you and your family members about your rights and how to develop a family preparedness plan in case you or your loved ones are exposed to detention or deportation.
For disability accommodations email eborek@sdccd.edu using the subject line "Dreamers event accommodations."
Undocu-Mixer for Transfer Students
📅 TBD, Fall 2024
📍 K1-107, Student Services Building
Undocu-friendly universities are institutions that provide academic, emotional, career and other resource-based support to undocumented and immigrant students. Some of these campuses have Dream Centers or Undocumented Resource Centers with dedicated staff that provide direct support to Undocu-students. During this Undocu-Mixer for Transfer Students, you will meet representatives from several universities so you can ask questions, get some awesome swag, and decide which campus is right for you!
For disability accommodations email eborek@sdccd.edu using the subject line "Dreamers event accommodations."
Paying for College: Scholarships
📅 TBD, Fall 2024
💻 via Zoom; registration link coming soon
Being an undocumented student does not bar you from accessing money to help cover your college expenses… if you know where to look! The Dream Team with our partners have compiled many resources and information about scholarship opportunities for students regardless of their status. In this interactive workshop, you will learn about scholarship resources available to undocumented and immigrant students at Miramar College and be guided though our Undocu-Scholarships activity workbook to keep your award search and application essay ideas organized.
For disability accommodations email eborek@sdccd.edu using the subject line "Dreamers event accommodations."
Engagement Activities
Coffee & Crafts
📅 Alternating Wednesdays; check dates and times below
📍 K1-211, Student Services Building
Coffee & Crafts is a student activity hosted by the Miramar Dreamers Support Office providing students an opportunity to take a creative break from classes for one hour every other week. All materials plus FREE coffee or hot cocoa and a snack are provided at each session! We meet in the Jet Fuel Basic Needs Center (K1-211)
Spring 2024 Schedule
- March 6 at 12:30 pm: Coffee & Crafts: Mindful Mandalas
- March 20 at 12:00 pm: Coffee & Crafts: Flower Power
- This session will take place outside on Compass Point during the Women's History Month Expo
- April 4 at 12:30 pm: Coffee & Crafts: Bunny Pouches
- April 17 at 12:00 pm: Coffee & Crafts: Origami Butterflies
- This session will take place outside on Compass Point during ASG Earth Day Spring Festival
- May 1 at 12 pm: Coffee & Crafts: Mindful Doodles
- This session will take place outside on Compass Point during the Chill with Us: De-Stress Event
- May 15 at 12:30 pm: Coffee & Crafts: Grad Cap Decorating
Due to limited staffing, our friends in the Student Affairs Office will facilitate Coffee & Crafts for the remainder of the semester. For disability accommodations email jhankins@sdccd.edu using the subject line "Coffee & Crafts accommodations."
NEW! Undocu-Circles
📅 Select dates from 12:00–1:00 pm
📍 K1-211, Student Services Building
Undocu-Circles are affirming spaces for Dreamers and undocumented students to create community with one another. Facilitated by our Dream Team staff, we welcome our diverse students to come share their unique immigrant stories. We start with a fun icebreaker, then discuss the rewards and challenges of being an immigrant, before participating in a collaborative activity to build community.
Spring 2024 Sessions
- 2/29: Undocu-Circles: Mindful Check-ins
- 4/11: Undocu-Circles: La Lotería
- 5/9: Undocu-Circles: A Letter to Myself
For disability accommodations email eborek@sdccd.edu using the subject line "Undocu-Circles accommodations."
Partner Workshops
HELS Workshops
Our legal aid partners at the Higher Education Legal Services (HELS) routinely hosts workshops and webinars for the undocumented and immigrant communities.
Upcoming Events
- DACA Day: March 2, 2024
- DACA Nights: March 11 – 14, 2024
- Citizenship Day: April 20, 2024
View all HELS events and recordings of past workshops online at jfssd.org/hels.
Immigrants Rising Workshops
Immigrants Rising’s Wellness Support Groups help undocumented people stay grounded and connected to the community. These 6-week Wellness Support Groups are led by trained mental health providers or registered clinicians and designed to help undocumented people feel less alone and more understood.
Support Group Topics
- Coping with Uncertainty
- Undocu-API
- Undocu-Women
- Undocu-LGBTQ+
- Formerly Undocumented
- Undocu-Latine Grupo de Apoyo (en español)
- Undocu-Latinx
Advance registration is required. Athough participation can be therapeutic, these support groups are not a form of therapy. To learn more and register to join a support group visit immigrantsrising.org/supportgroups.