Welcome to legal guidance and services. These resources can assist you in understanding available legal aid, your privacy information, and how it is used at Stanford.
Legal Resources
For general assistance in getting connected to support resources related to DACAmented or undocumented status, email us at For Dreamers. A professional staff will aim to answer this email within 24 hours on weekdays and by Mondays on weekends
Visit the Legislative Updates page for more information
- April 2022 Update - You may now apply to renew DACA online. Check out a how-to guide from United We Dream.
- DACA Applications/Renewals - Stanford will provide full financial assistance for the DACA application fee, the renewal fee, and the biometrics fee for any currently enrolled student who is interested in applying or re-applying. Email For Dreamers from your Stanford account before you apply to get more information.
- Apply for DACA or Check Your Eligibility - Visit Consideration for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals on the U.S. Citizen and Immigration website. To renew your DACA status, RT renew your DACA status, renew on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration website. Note: As of the summer 2021, USCIS is accepting but not processing new DACA requests.
Stanford can facilitate scheduling a free consultation with an attorney through the Immigrants’ Rights Clinic of Stanford Law School to discuss your specific situation.
- Note: Please do not email the Immigrants’ Rights Clinic directly. Any referral must come through the For Dreamers email account.
- Any Stanford student who has a concern regarding their undocumented status can receive a free legal consultation, including for legal assistance with filing for DACA. Email For Dreamers from your Stanford account for a referral.
- The Immigrants Rights clinic also has an immigration lawyer directory and additional “know your rights” material.
We know and understand that DACA is an ever-revolving door as legislation is continually updated. We will use this page to host the latest updates on legislation. Email us at For Dreamers, if you have a concern about something specific.
- Update - Please see recommendations for REAL-IDs, which will now go into effect in 2025.
- On July 13, 2021 a federal judge in Texas ruled that all new DACA applications must be blocked. While current DACA recipients are not currently affected directly by this order and DACA status will not be revoked, we realize how this decision affects the friends and family of various Stanford community members.
- For additional DACA related litigation updates, we suggest the following websites:
The confidentiality of student and personnel records is deeply important to Stanford. The university keeps student and personnel records private and will not share such information with immigration agencies unless legally compelled to do so. Any Stanford office that receives a request for information from an immigration enforcement agency should route that request to the Office of General Counsel. The Stanford Department of Public Safety does not have responsibility for immigration enforcement. Consistent with the approach of law enforcement agencies in Santa Clara County, it does not inquire about immigration status in the normal course of its duties and will not participate with other agencies in immigration enforcement activities unless legally required to do so.
While not a substitute for legal guidance, the following resources may assist you.
- Immigrants’ Rights Clinic of Stanford Law School
- Immigrant Justice’s Bill of Rights (non-Stanford resource)
A frequent community partner with the Immigrants’ Rights Clinic can provide a free consultation to members of our community who have a concern for an undocumented family member or a similar issue. Contact the CLSEPA at 650.326.6440.
Stanford has actively supported the DREAM Act legislation since its introduction in 2001 so undocumented students could continue their education and apply for citizenship. The university also supports DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, which has allowed undocumented individuals who entered the United States as children to remain in the country without fear of deportation. (We do not, however, require undergraduates to have DACA status to enroll or receive financial aid.)
