FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS) FOR WINTER 2022 CALIFORNIA-MEXICO DREAMERS STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM

Review the Frequently Asked Questions below carefully before applying online to our Winter 2022 California-Mexico Dreamers Study Abroad Program.

1. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:

1A: What Are The Program’s Eligibility Requirements?

In order to be considered and accepted into our program, you must meet all of the following criteria:

• Be 21 years-old or older at the time of travel.
• Speak fluent Spanish as all instruction will be in Spanish.
• Have an active DACA status with an expiration date after February 28, 2023.
• Have an active passport from the respective country of origin valid through March 31, 2023 or an appointment for a passport by 03/08/2022.
• If the applicant is Mexican-born, they must commit to applying for and attaining the Instituto Nacional Electoral’s (INE) Credencial para Votar en el Extranjerobefore traveling to Mexico. Click here to follow the instructions to apply for an INE Card.
• Must have no criminal or immigration laws violations record.
• Must participate in ALL PROGRAM activities.
• Applicants must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and must provide the CMSC with proof of vaccination in order to apply and be considered for any/all Winter 2022/2023 programs. No exceptions or exemptions.
• Must test negative for COVID-19, 2 days prior to departure to Mexico, 2 days prior to arriving to the academic program, and 1 day prior to group returning to the U.S. Participants must pay for all their COVID-19 testing, EXCEPT FOR THE TEST DURING THE ACADEMIC PROGRAM, 1 DAY PRIOR TO RETURNING TO THE U.S., which will be covered by the CMSC. 
• Must be willing to take the additional booster shot, as required prior to leaving the U.S. 
• Must be able to pay the $5,000 program fees and the USCIS $575 Advance Parole permit travel fee. (See payment schedule for details)

1B: Is There Any Age Cap To Participate In The Program?

No, there is no age cap. Anyone 21 years or older with active DACA status and who can demonstrate leadership and maturity to travel independently abroad, can apply.

1C: My Current Work Permit / DACA Will Be Expiring Soon, But I Am Currently Renewing It. Can I Still Apply?

In order to qualify for our program and apply for Advance Parole, your current DACA/work permit must not expire before our program travel dates. In addition, participants must have an active DACA status upon return. Otherwise, you will be jeopardizing your DACA status and may not be allowed back in the U.S.  As long as your current DACA will not expire until at least February 30, 2023, you can still apply for this program.

1D: I’ve Previously Been Charged With A Felony, Misdemeanor, DUI, Arrest, Pending Court Appearance, Order Of Deportation, Or Any Other Criminal And/Or Immigration Record, Do I Qualify To Apply?

No. Unfortunately, if you have been charged with a felony, misdemeanor, DUI, arrested, have a pending court appearance, previously received an order of deportation, or any other outstanding criminal record, we will not accept you into our program. We do this for your safety, given that U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) will do a background check upon re-entry, and they have total authority to deny your re-entry into the U.S.

1E: I Already Graduated And/Or I Am Not Attending School, Do I Still Qualify To Apply?

Yes. We encourage everyone who meets the requirements to apply as you do not currently need to be enrolled at a school or university.

1F: I Live Outside Of The Los Angeles Area, Or In Another State, Do I Qualify To Apply?

Yes, we welcome and encourage applicants from any state in the United States to apply for our Winter 2022/2023 California-Mexico Dreamers Study Abroad Program. However, keep in mind that our program requires participants to reenter the U.S. as a group through the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), which is in California. Thus, you have to plan for and pay at your own expense any additional flight(s) and/or ground transportation required to arrive at your final destination.

1G: I Am A DACA Beneficiary, But I Am Not Mexican, Do I Qualify To Apply To Your Program?

Yes, DACA recipients from all nationalities are welcome to apply as long as they are fluent Spanish-speakers, given that the entire program will be conducted in Spanish.

1H: What Is The “Credencial De Elector” (INE Card), How Do I Get One, And Why Are We Required To Get One?

La Credencial de Elector del Instituto Nacional Electoral (INE) is the most widely used form of identification in Mexico (as opposed to the “matricula consular,” which is given in the U.S. and is not recognized as an official identification in Mexico).  The INE credential card also allows Mexican citizens living abroad to vote in Mexico’s state-of-origin and presidential elections.  Therefore, we will require all Mexican-born Dreamer participants to apply to attain their INE Credential before going to Mexico to be used as their main identification and as an additional safety measure while traveling in Mexico. By doing so, Mexican-born participants will not have to use their passport or DACA cards as identification when boarding flights or entering places that require an ID while in Mexico. This ensures that you keep your U.S.-granted IDs and passport in a safe place until your return to the U.S. and avoid carrying them at all times, which is not required in Mexico.

Important note: If you are an applicant who is a citizen of another country, you DO NOT need to apply for an INE card. 

Please visit our INE Card Instructions page to find out how you can obtain one in a timely manner before our Winter 2022/2023  program starts.

1I: Can U.S. Citizens Or Non-DACA Holders Apply To Participate In Your Program?

No. This program is specifically designed for undocumented immigrants who have an active DACA status, meet all requirements, and are admitted into the program.

 

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2. PROGRAM APPLICATION PROCESS:

2A: I Already Completed My Online Application, What Happens Next?

After completing your online application, you must also send us your letter of recommendation by February 25 MARCH 15, 2022, by 11:59 pm PST in order to be considered for our program. Please email your letter to records@calmexcenter.org and label the file in the following format: FirstName_MiddleInitial_LastNames_LOR. If your reference is sending it directly to us, have them follow the same guidelines. No late LORs will be considered.

2B: When Will I Know If I Was Accepted Into The Program?

After submitting the program application and LOR, and then completing your initial interview with CMSC staff, you will be notified via email of our decision within 3 days of the interview. If you are accepted, you will be instructed on how to pay your program deposit which will be due no later than 3 days after receiving your acceptance email. Our final deadline for making selection decisions is March 30, 2022, or when we reach capacity, whichever comes first.

2C: If I Don’t Get Selected, Will You Be Offering Other Dreamers Study Abroad Opportunities In The Near Future That I Can Apply To?

Yes. Anyone not selected will be considered for future programs and will be kept informed of other study abroad programs that we host or at different colleges and universities. Subscribe to our newsletter to find out about future program opportunities.

2D: I Have Applied To One Of Your Programs Before, Do I Need To Reapply Again And Re-Send A Letter Of Recommendation?

Yes, you do have to reapply and submit a new online application and submit a new Letter of Recommendation in order to be considered for an interview. 

2E: I Applied, But Haven’t Received Any Information From The Program. What Should I Do?

If you do not  receive an email within 5 days after applying, check your spam or send us an email to: records@calmexcenter.org

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3. PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS: 

3A: By When Do We Have To Pay The $5,000 Program Fee And Advance Parole Fee?

to the Covid-19 pandemic, the CMSC is taking extra measures to ensure participants’ health and safety during our program abroad. Therefore, we have increased the program fee to cover those additional costs. 

Selected participants will be required to pay a Program fee totaling $5,000 to the CMSC and their Advance Parole application fee to USCIS in the amount of $575 in the following manner:

After your interview and then receive an email notifying you of our selection decision. If you are accepted to the Winter 2022/2023 program, you will have 3 days to accept and submit your $5,000 program fee payment in the following manner: 

• Option one: Pay the one-time full amount and receive an immediate $500 discount. This means the participant will only pay $4,500, before scheduling their Advance Parole application appointment. 
• Option two: The participant will make two payment installments, within 3 days of acceptance $3,000 and $2,000 by no later than April 17, 2022. 

Lastly, you will then need to schedule your Advance Parole appointment with one of the CMSC advisors and you will need to have $575 to pay for the Advance Parole Travel Permit fee: to be paid to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security by the participant at the time of sending in the I-131 application to USCIS. 

• Advance Parole application preparation and filing assistance, CMSC advocacy for the approval of your application, and legal consultation as needed.

• Spanish and Mexican culture instruction by CILAC Freire Institute and Chicano Studies and Mexican Diaspora Catedras by CMSC Lecturers.
• All housing in individual rooms, meals, field trips during the academic program. 
• Due to the COVID pandemic, the CMSC will provide a private doctor’s care and/or medical referral assistance throughout the program, including during independent travel throughout Mexico. 
• Medical services, emergency, and travel insurance during each program for the duration of the program.
• Psychological counseling and group therapy before and during the study abroad program. 
• Local, private transportation to and from field trips.  
• Lawful CBP re-entry into the U.S. at LAX, arranged by the CMSC.
• A chance for Dreamers to visit their birthplace, conduct family ethnographic research, and discover Mexico independently.

3B: Are There Any Fee-Waivers Or Additional Grants/Scholarships That We Can Apply To?

There are no CMSC fee-waivers or additional funds to pay for the program; selected participants will have to solicit, fundraise, or secure funding on their own.

3C: Will Students Be Able To Travel Independently And Visit Their Birthplace Or Discover Mexico? If So, For How Long?

Yes. The program has been designed to give participants the unique opportunity to conduct independent travel and ethnographic research on their family origins, which will allow them to visit their family and birthplace prior to beginning the academic program in Cocoyoc, Morelos (60 miles south of Mexico City). 

Please refer to the following groups’ schedule to determine the allotted ethnographic research time for each of the 3 groups.

GROUP 1: Travel dates from December 11, 2022 – January 15, 2023

• Independent Travel and Ethnographic Research: December 11, 2022- January 7, 2023 
• Academic program: January 8 – January 15, 2023
• Return to the U.S.: January 15, 2023 

 GROUP 2: Travel dates from December 18, 2022 – January 22, 2023 

• Independent Travel and Ethnographic Research: December 18, 2022- January 14, 2023
• Academic Program: January 15 – January 22, 2023 
• Return to the U.S.: January 22, 2023

GROUP 3: Travel dates from December 25, 2022 – January 29, 2023 

• Independent Travel and Ethnographic Research: December 25, 2022- January 21, 2023
• Academic Program: January 22 – January 29, 2023 
• Return to the U.S.: January 29, 2023 

3D: Do Participants Have To Fly Out From California To Their Birthplace?

No, participants can take a direct flight from anywhere in the U.S. to their destination in Mexico to do their independent travel and ethnographic research.  However, all participants are required to return as a group to the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) from Mexico City on their group’s designated return date and the CMSC will coordinate and arrange the itinerary for direct payment by the participants through our travel agent.

3E: Can I Travel To Other Countries During The Independent Family Travel?

If you are a Dreamer from another country other than Mexico, you can travel to your country of origin during the designated independent/family visitation days. You are also still expected to arrive to Mexico for the duration of the academic program, and return to the U.S. as a group to the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on their group’s designated return date, and the CMSC will coordinate and arrange the itinerary for direct payment by the participants through our travel agent. 

Additional details on how to apply for advance parole to visit more than one country will be discussed on an individual basis after you have been accepted to the program. The participant will assume all additional costs to travel to other countries.

3F: May I Return Before Or After The Program Is Over?

No, Advance Parole permits are issued for specific dates, therefore in order to secure a successful return, it is a program policy that you return to the U.S. collectively as a group on your group’s return date.  Participants will only be allowed to return prior to the end of the program in the event of an emergency. However, participants will not receive a refund for the days of the program at which they did not participate. Participants will only be granted permission to stay longer than their program date in the event of a medical emergency, such as having COVID-19, in which case the participant would need to stay in Mexico at their own expense until they are cleared to travel again, per the CDC and FAA regulations.

3G: How Can I Help To Take This Kind Of Program To Other Campuses To Benefit Other Dreamers?

Please apply, if selected, by the end of the program, you will be fully prepared to implement or assist in the development of similar programs. Furthermore, as part of the CMSC network, you will cultivate a network of resources, and support to launch a similar program.

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4. ADVANCE PAROLE APPLICATION PROCESS & TRAVEL SAFETY:

4A: Do I Have To File For Advance Parole Prior To Applying To Your Program?

No, you don’t have to apply for Advance Parole prior to applying to our program. Once selected, participants will be instructed on how to apply for Advance Parole under the supervision and guidance of CMSC staff and attorney consultation as needed.

4B: Will I Receive Supporting Paperwork About The Program To Include With My Advance Parole Application?

Yes. The CMSC will provide all supporting documentation and guidance to prepare and complete the Advance Parole applications that are specific to this travel-study program as well guidance in advocacy to ensure your Advance Parole application is approved. If you already have an attorney, you can still seek counsel from them. However, you will be required to follow our Advance Parole application guideline and submit all of your documents to us for the final review.

4C: Are We Going To Get Assistance To Apply For Advance Parole?

Yes. The CMSC has worked closely in collaboration with USCIS, CBP, and with legal counsel to design a program and process that has had a 100% success rate. Our staff, medical team, and advisors are all trained to facilitate and execute a program that leads to your successful legal and healthy return to the U.S. 

4D: Does The $5,000 Program Fee Include The Advance Parole Application Fee ($575)?

No, the program fee covers Advance Parole application preparation, attorney consultation if needed, and filing assistance. You must pay your Advance Parole application fee in a money order or Cashier’s Check in the amount of $575 and make it payable to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

4E: If My Advance Parole Application Gets Denied, Will Your Organization Refund The Money?

The application fees for Advance Parole may be refunded by USCIS if the application is administratively suspended, or if the application is processed, regardless if it is denied or approved they will keep the fees. All applicants must take full responsibility for the Advance Parole (I-131 Form) application fee and mailing costs, which they pay at their own risk. The CMSC will not refund any fees for applications denied by USCIS, but the CMSC will provide assistance to appeal the Notice of Intent to Deny, which precedes the Letter of Denial, and the CMSC will assist you with advocacy for your Advance Parole application approval.

4F: How Safe Is Traveling/Studying Abroad With Advance Parole? Have There Been Any Problems With Previous Participants Upon Return?

The Winter 2022/2023 program will be the 10th California-Mexico Dreamers Study Abroad Program organized by the CMSC, which has provided over 400 Dreamers the opportunity to visit Mexico since the pilot program in Spring of 2014. The CMSC celebrates a track-record of 100% lawful re-entry and no legal complications to any past participants, all returning to the U.S. through inspection and therefore clearing the prior unlawful entry when they were brought into the country as children. This benefit is priceless !!!  

One of the CMSC’s policies to ensure a successful and safe return is the fact that we require all participants to return as a group at the same time. Returning as a group not only relieves the anxiety participants may feel when coming back on their own, since they are part of an academic program that involves a large group of Dreamers. Also, the CMSC provides group therapy sessions to fully prepare the participants for their travel in Mexico and prior to returning to the U.S., to ensure they benefit from a comprehensive educational, cultural, and family reconnection that is life-changing.

Also, the CMSC has a close working relationship with over 150 U.S. Representatives and Senators, as well as close ties with Mexico’s Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores (SRE), the U.S. Embassy of Mexico in Washington, D.C., and the General Consulates of Mexico in Los Angeles and San Diego that have previously provided the CMSC with legal assistance and representation.

Moreover, the CMSC provides participants with the required academic documentation that validates and supports their educational Advance Parole applications.  But there has always been a risk factor when traveling with an Advance Parole permit regardless of the Administration in office, since the Advance Parole permit clearly states that re-entry into the U.S. is not guaranteed.

 

 

Even if you have an active DACA status and an Advance Parole Permit, it is still up to the discretion of the CBP Officer to let you return to the U.S.  Furthermore, all of the above mentioned circumstances are likely to appear in CBP’s system at the point of entry.  

Generally speaking, participants with active DACA status and no criminal record should have no problem being allowed back to the U.S. with an educational-purpose Advance Parole authorization through our program.

If you have additional questions, call CMSC Office at: (562) 430-5541

To return to the Winter 2022/2023 California-Mexico Dreamers Study Abroad Program main page click here

 

APPLY ONLINE FOR CMD WINTER 2022/2023 PROGRAM