Importance of Inclusive Language and Visibility    

Show support to your undocumented students by using inclusive language when speaking and or creating printed materials. 

  • Undocumented Vs. DACA 
    • For example, by calling all your students “DACA students,” you are not being inclusive of students that identify as TPS or U-Visa recipients and others. Many times other communities feel isolated because DACA is a more common term, yet not all students qualify for this program. The Higher Ed Portal highlights, out of 427,345 undocumented students in higher education, only 181,624 are DACA recipients. California estimates that of the 94,030 undocumented students in post secondary, 49,704 are DACA recipients. In addition, we have a new generation of high school students that do not meet DACA requirements. 
  • Using School ID
    • We often use the term valid California ID for enrollment purposes. Undocumented students may not always qualify to receive a California ID. Instead you can encourage the use of school ID to be inclusive of undocumented students.  
  • ITIN
    • Providing opportunities that do not require a Social Security Number. Always be an ally to students by asking the question for them, i.e. if students are required to put SSN or if they can leave the space blank, add all zeros, or use an ITIN instead of SSN. 
  • Inclusive Language about FAFSA and CADAA  
    • Another example when speaking about financial aid for students: anytime you are promoting FAFSA, make sure you also mention the California Dream Act Application (CADAA). This practice minimizes students feeling like they need to disclose their status before they may be ready in a non-safe space. Imagine you are presenting to a group of sophomores about college resources. Some students sitting in the audience may be undocumented but are not comfortable disclosing their status to their peers. Others may not know they are undocumented. Taking an educational approach by having a slide on financial aid with both FAFSA and CADAA will allow you, as the presenter, to discuss both in a normalized practice. 
    • Be an Ally by adding the CADAA to your classroom presentations, emails and flyers.
    • Try a new habit statement:
      • The deadline to apply for FAFSA or the California Dream Act Application is March 2nd.
      • I want to encourage you all to complete your FAFSA or California Dream Act Application.
    • Current habit statement:
      • The deadline to apply for FAFSA is March 2nd.
      • I want to encourage you all to complete your FAFSA application.
    • Also 
      • Alternate suggestions between: “FAFSA or California Dream Act Application” and “… California Dream Act Application or FAFSA” Ex. The deadline to apply for the California Dream Act Application or FAFSA is March 2nd.
      • Adopt the term financial aid rather than FAFSA when creating presentations, flyers and posters. Referring to financial aid in a broad sense allows for students to learn about both applications and be educated on eligibility for both. 
  • Inclusive language may also look like using the proper wording when referring to an undocumented individual.