Career Resources for Undocumented and Immigrant Students
While Undocumented Students are eligible for privately funded opportunities in CUNY, many times they still require students to fill out the w-9 (form to report any income paid to you to IRS). People who are ineligible for a Social Security number can apply for an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN), regardless of immigration status. With an ITIN, you can report your earnings to the Internal Revenue Service, open interest-bearing bank accounts with certain banks, and conduct business in the United States. Find out how to apply, renew, and use an ITIN utilizing the tools below:
Resources
- Privately funded opportunities like scholarships and fellowships are available to students regardless of immigration status in accordance with the CUNY 2018 Memo by the Office of General CounselPDF.
- Higher Ed Education Fellowships and Non-Employment Opportunities
- Dream Summer Fellowship
- The Experiential Learning Fellowship (E.L.F)
An internship will help you gain valuable work experience and build your professional resume. For undocumented students, internships are a great way to gain valuable work experience without being an employee.This experience will give you a better understanding of where your interests lie and help you clarify your post-graduation career goals. Internships can be both paid and unpaid and can possibly satisfy college credit. Internships also can have a range of time commitment depending on the position and organization.
Resources
Parker Dewey has a database of paid micro internships for independent contractors. Allowing students to gain work experience one short paid project at a time.
Created as a website for Immigrant and Undocumented Professions by their own community. The site posts internships, scholarships and work opportunities for students who are undocumented.
Service is an ideal place to start exploring opportunities and gaining experiences if you aren't sure what the best opportunity is for you. You'll become civically engaged through individual volunteerism, organizational involvement, events and gain valuable experience. While most types of service opportunities are unpaid, you can sometimes find a few that are paid. Service opportunities can also have a range of time commitment depending on the role, program, and/or organization. Some service opportunities may require background checks.
When applying students should know that there is no need to explain their legal or citizenship status.
Checking the boxes:
Are you legally authorized to work in the United States?
- DACA or TPS with work authorization will answer “yes”
Will you now or in the future require sponsorship to work in the United States?
- No. (This question is for students on a student Visa)
Students with DACA or TPS do not have to disclose their immigration status to employers when applying for a job or internship, only needing to disclose that they have work authorization. Students are open to sharing their status whenever they feel comfortable but should know they do not need to. It’s important that students keep in mind their rights.
Undocumented Students interviewing for jobs, if brought up, will need to answer questions relating to work authorization, not legal or citizenship status.
Resources
Immigrant Student Success Center
The Immigrant Student Success Center was created to provide legal, academic, financial, and socioemotional support to immigrant, undocumented, DACA, TPS, refugee students, and students in mixed-status families. The staff works toward providing a welcoming safe space that helps our students develop a sense of community, emotional well-being, and empowerment.
JJDREAMers
Get involved in JJDREAMers, an on campus immigrant and undocumented led student organization focused on advocating for the rights of immigrant and undocumented students.
Email: jjdreamers@jjay.cuny.edu
UndocuBlack Network
Nakasec
Entreprenuer@Immigrants Rising
Starting one's business or working as an independent contractor are great ways to gain experience without being tied to an employer. Entrepreneurship and independent contracting teaches students self discipline and the ins and outs of managing a business. Students who would like to pursue this path need to apply for an Individual Taxpayer's Identification Number (ITIN). For those who don’t have work authorization ITIN’s are the first step towards self employment.
Resources