Sonoma State University

Undocumented & DACA Students

The pursuit of jobs, internships, and post-grad opportunities for undocumented and DACAmented students can be a stressful process if you're not sure where to look. With the understanding that the process can be overwhelming, the Career Center has collaborated with the SSU DREAM Center to assure you that we can provide you with resources you need to succeed. Career advising is collaborative and confidential, regardless of immigration status. The Career Center staff, along with the Sonoma State University community, are here to offer support to undocumented students navigating the career search.

Below, you will find information on resources for undocumented and DACA students both on-campus and off-campus. The information on this page is not exhaustive, so please use this as a starting point in your search. If there are any resources you think would be useful to add to this page, or if you have any questions, please contact careercenter@sonoma.edu.

DACA & Employment

Undocumented students approved for DACA and who have an Employment Authorization Document should be eligible for most, if not all jobs. Employers cannot discriminate based on the term of the employment authorization. However, not all employers understand the nuisances of DACA. You do not have to disclose your status at any point in the employment process. The SSU DREAM Center works in collaboration with CHIRLA to provide free legal immigration services for all students. For more information, contact dreamcenter@sonoma.edu. 

  1. The Catalyst Fund Student Leadership Fellowship: This program supports undocumented students in developing their voice, visibility, and knowledge to foster greater undocumented student engagement and collaboration on campus and throughout the state. Fellows will each receive a stipend for active participation. 
  2. DREAM Center ASPIRE Fellowship: A leadership and professional development opportunity for students interested in immigration-related issues, including those faced by undocumented students. 
  3. The California Dream Act Service Incentive Grant (DSIG) Program: The DSIG Program encourages California Dream Act Applicant (CADAA) students with a Cal Grant A award that meets Cal Grant B eligibility or a Cal Grant B award to perform community or volunteer service.

SSU University Scholarship Program Application period begins November 1st of each year. Applications are submitted online and the entire package must be submitted by February 3rd. Students must re-apply every year. Awards will be announced by May. Get started on the application process. For more information, contact dreamcenter@sonoma.edu.

Pre-Health and Pre-Med

Law School

Graduate School

If working as a lawful employee is not an option for you, there are multiple ways to work for yourself (entrepreneurship). You may establish a formal business such as an LLC, Sole Proprietorship, or work as an independent contractor (also called consulting or freelancing). All individuals, regardless of immigration status, are able to earn a living as independent contractors using an ITIN or SSN using a 1099 form. You may choose to identify a business entity and hire employees under an LLC, a Sole Proprietorship, or a C-corporation using an EIN. (An ITIN may be used to obtain an EIN).

ITINs allow individuals ineligible for an SSN to: 

  • Report their earnings to the IRS
  • Open interest-bearing bank accounts with certain banks
  • Conduct business in the U.S.

Get more information about entrepreneurship. 

  • Handshake: SSU's job search board where students can apply to various job and internship opportunities both on and off-campus. Undocu/DACA-friendly. 
  • Parker Dewey: Paid micro-internships (no SSN required) working directly with an entrepreneur or supporting a large enterprise.
  • Internship/Fellowship Resource Sheet

FAQs

Yes, there are many internships that offer stipends or awards at the end of an internship that do not require an SSN. However, there are also non-paid internships which are a great way to gain meaningful work experience without being considered an employee.

Independent contractors usually offer their services to the general public and are people who are in an independent trade, business, or profession. Interns will generally receive guidance and direction from the employer, including daily job duties, training, and coaching.

According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the governmental agency that handles discrimination cases, undocumented workers are, with a few exceptions, entitled to the same protection and relief as documented workers under federal anti-discrimination statutes.

If you are an undocumented worker who has been harassed or discriminated against, you should follow the same steps as other workers to file a discrimination complaint. EEOC will not, on its own initiative, inquire into a worker's immigration status, nor consider an individual's immigration status when determining whether a discrimination charge has merit. 

If your employer appears to have acquired information about your unauthorized status after you complained of discrimination, the government agency investigating your complaint will also attempt to determine whether your employer's purpose in finding out information about your immigration status was to retaliate against you.

Any person facing deportation, whether as a result of incidents occurring at work or not, should consult immediately with a lawyer who specializes in immigration law, as this is a serious and complex legal issue beyond the scope of the information provided by this website.