College Access for Undocumented Students
On May 7th, 2003, House Bill 1079 (HB 1079) was signed into law by Governor Gary Locke. Because of the new law, undocumented students (referred to as "1079 students") who have lived in our state for three years or more can be considered "residents" for purposes of paying tuition fees at Washington State colleges and Universities. HB 1079 does not change a student's legal immigration status. The new law means that 1079 students are now permitted to pay tuition rates that all other resident students pay.

1079 students can qualify to pay the resident tuition fees if he/she:

1. has earned a high school diploma or equivalent (GED) from a Washington State high school
2. has lived in Washington State for three years prior to receiving a high school diploma or GED
3. has lived continually in Washington since earning the high school diploma or GED, and can meet college or university admission requirements expected of all other students

Steps to enroll in college for 1079 student

1. Complete the admissions papers from the college or university the student plans to attend.
2. Fill out and sign an affidavit (click here for more info) that should be available at any public high school, college or university in the state. The affidavit can also be downloaded from the Higher Education Coordinating Board, or by clicking here.
3. Submit the admissions papers and affidavit to the college/university by the deadline stated by the institution.

For more information contact:
Latino/a Educational Achievement Project (LEAP)
Ricardo Sanchez, Board of Directors, Chair
23835 Pacific Highway SouthSuite
PO Box 98000 MS: 99-285 WA 98027
Des Moines, WA 98198
425.395.5540
425.395.5541 (fax)
http://www.leapwa.org/index.htm

Immigration Resources in Washington State
The following are resources for questions regarding the residency process and procedure for non-citizens. The websites also offer links to social services available to non-residents in Washington State. Many of these services are free.

Northwest Immigration Rights Project
Western Washington Office
909 8th Ave.
Seattle, WA 98104
206.587.4009
(http://www.nwirp.org)

Eastern Washington Office (by appointment only)
121 Sunnyside Ave.
P.O. Box 270
Granger, WA 98932
509.854.2100 or toll-free 888.756.3641
(http://www.nwirp.org)

Washington Alliance for Immigrant and Refugee Justice (WAIRJ)
Western Washington Office
606 Maynard Ave., Suite 252
Seattle, WA 98104
206.340.9187
206.405.4532 (fax)
info@wairj.org
http://www.wairj.org

Eastern Washington Office
303 East "D" St., Suite #2B
Yakima, WA 98901
509.453.4530
509.453.4567 (fax)
info@wairj.org
http://www.wairj.org

Consulate of Mexico
The consulate provides help with visas, passports, consular IDs (matriculas), birth certificates, etc.

Consulado Jorge Madrazo-Cuellar
2132 Third Ave.
Seattle, WA 98121
206.448.3526
206.448.4771 (fax)
http://www.sre.gob.mx/seattle

Washington State Commission on Hispanic Affairs
The Commission on Hispanic Affairs was created by former Governor Gary Locke in order to define issues concerning the rights and needs of Washington State's Hispanic community, and to be contacted with any concerns regarding civic and human that may be of concern. They are the link between the Hispanic community and the government.

Uriel Iñiquez, Executive Director
P.O. Box 40924
Olympia, WA 98504-0924
800.443.0294 360.753.0199 (fax)
http://www.cha.wa.gov/links/index.htm