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Unity Zone at Norco College

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LGBTQIA+ & Undocumented Services

Students, staff, faculty, and families can book their appointments online with our legal team (TODEC).

 

The Unity Zone at Norco College

 
Federal Immigrations on Campus flyer
 

 

Our Mission

Unity Zone supports holistic success (academic, personal, and professional), creates equitable opportunities for educational and community resources, scholarships, and fosters safe/brave spaces for undocumented students, AB 540, mixed-status household families, LGBTQIA+, and allies at Norco College.

“A place where we can dream, love, unite, and be proud of who we are."

 

Hours & Location


Monday: 8:00 am - 5:30 pm
Tuesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:30 pm
Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Friday: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
 
Unity Zone
Office Number: (951) 739-7873
Cell Number: (951) 268-0634 (Call or Text)
Center for Student Success, 2nd Floor, Room 216
 
Welcome Flyer Unity Zone.png

Meet the Staff

 
Daniela McCarson

Daniela McCarson
(She/Her/Hers)
Dean, Special Funded Programs
CalWORKs, DRC, EOPS/CARE/NextUp, Phoenix Scholars, Unity Zone-LGBTQIA+/Undocumented
 
 
 
Christopher Castillo
 
 
Christopher Castillo, M.S.
(He/Him/El)
Student Success Coordinator
Send Email
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

LGBTQIA+ Resources

The Unity Zone serves as the primary hub of resources, services, and events for LGBTQIA+ students on campus. We work with both on-campus and local community members to provide workshops and events to promote success.

On-Campus Resources

Annual Events

  • Paint with Pride (Fall & Spring Terms)
  • Lavender Celebration (Spring Term)
  • Finals Frenzy (Fall & Spring Terms)
  • LGBTQ+ Speaker Series (Spring Term)

Off-Campus Resources


Trans Lifeline

If you or somebody you know is in need of Trans support, you may reach out to the Transgender suicide hotline by reaching
TRANS LIFELINE at (877)-565-8860

 

The Trevor Project

If you or somebody you know is a young person in crisis, feeling suicidal, or in need of a safe judgement-free place to talk you may also reach
The Trevor Project's hotline at (866) 488-7386

 

Legal Services: Training Occupational Development Educating Communities (TODEC)

 

TODEC_logo.png

 

Community College Immigration Legal Services program is to provide free immigration legal services, including education and outreach services, to students, staff, and faculty on California community college campuses statewide.

Attorneys and paralegals are available to assist students with general consultations, DACA renewals, and general assistance in filling out forms such as family-based petitions. Priority will be given to undocumented students, staff, and faculty.

The State of California’s 2018-19 Budget provided an initial $10 million investment for the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) to administer and implement immigration legal services at California community colleges. The initial investment allowed CDSS to fund nine legal service providers to serve 65 colleges. The 2020-21 provided $10 million to expand the program over the next year. CDSS is partnering with the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office and the Foundation for California Community Colleges to ensure students, staff, and faculty at these colleges can access free immigration legal services.

Training Occupational Development Educating Communities

Basic immigration legal assistance includes:

  • Legal Consultations to Screen for Immigration Relief
  • Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Renewals
  • Family-based petitions
  • Naturalization/Citizenship applications

Education and Outreach activities (e.g. webinars) cover topics such as:

  • Avoiding fraudulent legal services
  • Know Your Rights Presentations (KYR)
  • Family Preparedness/Childcare Safety Plans
  • Public Charge information

Services not currently funded (referrals may be provided):

  • Removal Defense
  • Asylum Applications

Schedule an appointment!

 

Confidentiality

Our team takes confidentiality seriously. When a student shares information with us, it stays between us and the student. We do this to protect our students and abide by federal and state laws that require the safe keeping of educational records. This means that we do not share our students’ immigration status nor their personally identifiable information (e.g., Norco College ID numbers, home address, phone numbers, etc.) with third parties (e.g., extended family, non-profits, government agencies, etc.). For more information about federal and state laws that protect student data, please read Immigrant Rising’s Protecting Student Data in California. (https://immigrantsrising.org/wp-content/uploads/Immigrants-Rising_Protecting-Student-Data-in-CA.pdf)

 

Terminology

LGBTQ+

Sexual Identity


Asexual – Person who is not sexually attracted to anyone or does not have a sexual orientation.

Bisexual – A person emotionally, physically, and/or sexually attracted to males/men and females/women and/or multiple genders. This attraction does not have to be equally split between genders and there may be a preference for one gender over others.

Gay – 1. Term used in some cultural settings to represent males who are attracted to males in a romantic, erotic and/or emotional sense. Not all men who engage in “homosexual behavior” identify as gay, and as such this label should be used with caution. 2. Term used to refer to the LGBTQI community as a whole, or as an individual identity label for anyone who does not identify as heterosexual.

Heterosexual/Straight - (of a person) sexually attracted to people of the opposite sex.

Lesbian - Term used to describe female-identified people attracted romantically, erotically, and/or emotionally to other female-identified people.

Pansexual – A person who is sexually attracted to all or many gender expressions.

Queer – 1. An umbrella term which embraces a matrix of sexual orientations, and habits of the not-exclusively- heterosexual-and-monogamous majority. Queer includes lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, trans people, intersex persons, the radical sex communities, and many other sexually transgressive (underworld) explorers. 2. This term is sometimes used as a sexual orientation label instead of ‘bisexual’ as a way of acknowledging that there are more than two genders to be attracted to, or as a way of stating a non-heterosexual orientation without having to state who they are attracted to.

Gender Expression

Androgynous - combination of masculine and feminine characteristics and/or indistinguishable gender expression

Fem/Femme/Feminine/Fem of Center - set of attributes, society's expectations behavior that are typically associated with women or girls

Gender Non-Conforming - refers to people who do not follow other society's ideals or stereotypes about how they should look or act based on the sex assigned at birth.

Gender Conforming - refers to people who do follow society's ideals or about how they should look or act based on the sex assigned at birth.

Masc/Masculine/Masculine of Center - set of attributes, society's expectations behavior that are typically associated with men or boys

Gender Identity

Gender Non-Conforming - refers to people who do not follow other people's ideas or stereotypes about how they should look or act based on the female or male sex they were assigned at birth.

Gender Neutral - cannot be referred to as one gender or another

Genderqueer - denoting or relating to a person who does not subscribe to conventional gender distinctions but identifies with neither, both, or a combination of male and female genders.

Non Binary - someone that does not exclusively identify as a man or a woman, can include a variation of gender expression

Transgender - when a person perceives themselves and/or feels a different gender identity that differs from what they were assigned at birth and/or by society

Trans man - a transgender person who was assigned female at birth but whose gender identity is that of a man

Trans woman - a transgender person who was assigned male at birth but whose gender identity is that of a woman


Undocumented

Undocumented AB 540 (2001): allows qualifying nonresident students to pay in-state tuition at public universities

Asylum Seeker: a person who has left their home country as a political refugee and is seeking asylum in another. Only asylum seekers who are granted refugee status are allowed to work in the country.

The CALIFORNIA DREAM ACT (2011): allows AB 540 students to also apply for aid, known as Cal Grants, and non-state funded scholarships.

Citizen: Individuals who obtain U.S. citizenship by birth in the U.S. or by process of naturalization. Citizens obtain a Social Security Number.

DACAmented: The term is used by some undocumented individuals who have received DACA. DACAmented (similar to DREAMer) is sometimes used as a way to navigate away from the negative connotations given to terms such as undocumented, immigrant, non-U.S. citizen and so forth.

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA): DACA is program announced on June 12, 2012 by President Barack Obama that is to protect individuals who qualify from deportation and give them a work permit for 2 years. The program is renewable. Deferred Action does not provide lawful status.

DREAM Act: The Development Relief and Education for Alien Minors (DREAM) Act is a piece of legislation proposed to provide a pathway to permanent residency and U.S. citizenship for qualified undocumented immigrant students. The DREAM Act has been proposed several times in Congress since 2001, but has not been approved.

DREAMer: DREAMer refers to students who are undocumented and are also part of the DREAM Act movement. DREAMer is a term commonly used by students who connect with the DREAM Act movement, and sometimes used as a way to navigate away from the negative connotations given to terms such as undocumented, immigrant, non-U.S. citizen and so forth.

Dropping The I-Word: "Illegals" is a racially charged slur used to dehumanize and discriminate against immigrants and people of color regardless of migratory status. The I-word is shorthand for "illegal alien," "illegal immigrant" and other harmful terms. The Applied Research Center (ARC) and Colorlines.com, have presented the Drop The I-Word campaign to eradicate the slur "illegals" from everyday use and public discourse.

F-Visa: It is a type of visa issued to students who are not from the United States but who are attending an academic program or English language program at a U.S. college or university. These students are required to maintain a full-time course load for the entirety of their approved stay.

Generation 1.5: Refers to immigrants who were brought to the U.S as young children and identify as American. The label comes from the groups’ special place as first generation Americans who migrate to this country during childhood and feel strong identification with the U.S., yet are native to another country.

International Student: Most colleges and universities consider any student who currently holds a visa of any type or is seeking a visa to be international. Undocumented students are not viewed as international applicants because many do not qualify for a visa, in addition undocumented students should not have to go through the international admission process as they cannot provide an international student visa.

Legal Permanent Resident (LPR): or “green card” recipient is defined by immigration law as a person who has been granted lawful permanent residence in the U.S. Mixed Status Family- Refers to students that are either: 1) undocumented, but have family members that are U.S. residents or U.S. citizens or 2) are U.S. residents or U.S. citizens but have family members that are undocumented. Mixed Status Family- Refers to students that are either: 1) undocumented, but have family members that are U.S. residents or U.S. citizens or 2) are U.S. residents or U.S. citizens but have family members that are undocumented.

MIXED STATUS FAMILIES: families with at least one undocumented family member and at least one member who is a U.S. citizen. Over one-third of U.S. households with an undocumented person are mixed families.

Naturalization: The process by which U.S. citizenship is conferred upon a lawful permanent resident after he or she fulfills the requirements established by Congress in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). The general requirements for administrative naturalization include: a period of continuous residence and physical presence in the United States; an ability to read, write, and speak English; a knowledge and understanding of U.S. history and government; good moral character; attachment to the principles of the U.S. Constitution; and a favorable disposition toward the U.S.

Non-Citizen: The non-citizen category applies to people born outside of the U.S. and who have not applied for or have been granted citizenship. Permanent residents also fall into this category.

Overstayed Visa: Refers to individuals who have stayed in the U.S. after their tourist, visitor, or student visa has expired and thus they become undocumented by overstaying their visa. Refugee- is a person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster.

Refugee: is a person who has been forced to leave their country in order to escape war, persecution, or natural disaster.

SANCTUARY SCHOOLS & CAMPUSES: educational institutions that adopt policies to protect students who are undocumented.

Temporary Protected Status (TPS): is a temporary immigration status granted to nationals of certain countries who are already in the U.S.

T-Visa: T Nonimmigrant Status (T visa) is a set aside for individuals who are or have been victims of human trafficking. It protects victims of human trafficking and allows victims to remain in the United States to assist in an investigation or prosecution of human trafficking.

UNACCOMPANIED MINORS: undocumented children who enter the U.S. without a guardian. They often come to escape violence in their country of origin.

Undocumented: Undocumented refers to people who are not U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents of the United States, who do not hold a visa to reside in the U.S. and who have not applied for legal residency in the U.S. Undocumented people came to the United States without legal documentation or overstayed their visas.

U-Visa: is an immigration benefit that can be sought by victims of certain crimes who are currently assisting or have previously assisted law enforcement in the investigation or prosecution of a crime, or who are likely to be helpful in the investigation or prosecution of criminal activity.

 

Undocumented Student Resources

The Unity Zone serves as the primary hub of resources, services, and events for undocumented students on campus. We work with both on-campus and local community members to provide workshops and events to promote success.

On-Campus Resources


Annual Events

  • Immigration-related related workshops (ex: Know Your Rights, Legal Updates, Traveling While Undocumented) (Fall & Spring Terms)
  • Undocu-Ally Trainings (Fall & Spring Terms)
  • UndocU Celebration (Spring Term)
  • Undocu-Talks (Fall & Spring Terms)
  • Undocu-Week (Fall)
  • Undocu-Hustle (Spring)
  • Finals Frenzy (Fall & Spring Terms)


Steps for Applying to Financial Aid

Norco College's Code: 04176100

  • CA Dream Act Application (CADAA) Home Page Link (Step One - Financial Aid)
  • Web Grants 4 Students Home Page Link (Step Two - After your CADAA application is processed, you’ll receive an email letting you know it’s time to create your WebGrants4Students account. Once you are logged in, confirm that CSAC has your GPA as this completes your Cal Grant application.) 

Off-Campus Resources

Immigration Enforcement -- Know Your Rights/FAQs

 

What is AB 540?

AB 540 is a law that provides in-state tuition benefits for undocumented and out-of-state students who attend or will attend a public university in California.


Under California law AB 540, certain nonresident students are exempt from paying nonresident supplemental tuition. If you're granted an AB 540 exemption, you will be charged in-state tuition and fees and not the supplemental tuition charged to nonresidents.


Resident (In-State) Tuition:
(applies to AB 540 eligible students)
$46 per unit


Non-Resident (Out-of-State) Tuition:
$331 per unit
Students (including undocumented students) who, for various reasons, are classified as nonresidents may be eligible.

 

Eligibility for AB 540

Students (including undocumented students) who, for various reasons, are classified as nonresidents may be eligible.

To qualify for AB 540 status, students must also meet the following eligibility requirements:

  1. Student must have attended a high school (public or private) in California for three or more years
  2. Student must have graduated from a California high school or attained the equivalent (GED or CA HS Proficiency exam)
  3. Student must be enrolled in an accredited California institution of higher education
  4. Student must file an AB 540 California Nonresident Tuition Exemption Request Form that includes an affidavit stating they have filed (or will file) an application to legalize as soon as they are able to do so. Completed forms must be submitted to the Admissions and Records Office located in the Student Services building
  5. Submit a copy of your high school diploma and sealed high school transcripts to the El Camino College Admissions office for verification.


SB 68 expands AB 540 to enable students to count years spent at a California Community College and adult school toward AB 540 eligibility. Additionally, the bill will allow the completion of an associate degree or satisfaction of the minimum requirements to transfer to the University of California (UC) or California State University (CSU) to meet the degree or unit requirements. These new eligibility criteria expand possibilities for students educated in California to qualify for in-state tuition and state-based financial aid at CCCs, CSUs, and UCs.

If you previously were not eligible for AB 540 status, you may be eligible with the expansion to AB 540 with SB 68. Please check with the NC Admissions Office for details.

 

If I am undocumented, am I eligible for financial aid?

If you meet the AB 540 eligibility requirements, you may be eligible to receive state-based financial aid as well as scholarships

It is important to complete the California Dream Act Application every year before March 2 to be considered for a California Promise Grant (which pays for the cost of tuition) as well as Cal Grants (additional cash state aid).

For additional information, visit Financial Aid.