Immigrant and Refugee Resources

All definitions from Tacoma Community College: Do the terms undocumented, DACA student, Dreamer, and WASFA student mean the same thing?

What's the difference between undocumented students and DACA recipients?

• Undocumented Students: The term undocumented can be applied to any person who lives or works in the United States without the legal protections of a citizen or permanent resident. Undocumented people do not automatically receive protection from DACA, and may come from any country.
• DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals): DACA stands for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, a 2012 Obama administration executive order allowing people who were brought to the U.S. as children to legally live, go to school, drive, and work if certain criteria are met.

Starting July 1, 2024, Washington state licensure boards will not be allowed to deny an applicant from obtaining a professional license or certification for lacking citizenship. Applicants will be able to provide an individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN) instead of a social security number (SSN), which means more equitable work opportunities, especially with students who want to obtain any licenses from this long list of professions.