Santa Monica Fundraiser Supports DACA Renewal Fees

SANTA MONICA, CA – The Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District is raising funds to help pay the $505 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) renewal fee through a website set up by the Santa Monica College Foundation.

Anyone who is interested in supporting SMMUSD DACA students may donate through this website.
SMMUSD students from Samohi, Olympic and Malibu High School can apply for the assistance by scheduling an appointment with SMC’s Director of Academic Affairs Initiatives, Edna Chavarry, during hosted DACA Renewal Processing Events that have begun at SMC this week, the SMMUSD press release said.

“We are uncertain about how many students we have who are DACA recipients seeking
renewal as we do not ask or record this information upon enrollment or registration,”
Superintendent Dr. Ben Drati said. “However, we want to make sure that any of our students
who would like to apply for renewal are able to do so confidentially, and this process provides
for that.”

Dr. Drati and the school board reaffirm their commitment to providing all school-aged students with
access to an excellent education and the opportunities that education provides without regard to
their immigration status or the immigration status of their parents, he said. The Board of Education resolution dated December 15, 2016 outlines the commitment that all SMMUSD campuses will continue to be “safe zones.” The Board resolution and resources can be found online here.

Representatives from Public Counsel will assist in the processing of renewal applications. Contact Ms. Chavarry at chavarry_edna@smc.edu or 310-434-8719 to make an appointment. Evening or weekend appointments are available through Public Counsel at 213-385-2977.

Image courtesy of Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District