Legal Status in the United States
Revised Nursing Programs Admissions Policy – June 24, 2020
Effective immediately, all CUNY Nursing programs will consider applicants for admission who are eligible for licensing in New York under the regulations of the New York State Education Department. The regulation provides eligibility for citizens and non-citizens who are “not unlawfully present,” including those with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and those permanently residing in the United States under color of law (PRUCOL). Applicants may demonstrate eligibility through documents that verify that they meet the required criteria. The most common documents include:
- Proof of U.S. citizenship through a birth certificate, U.S. passport, naturalization certificate, or a certificate of citizenship.
- Proof of legal permanent resident status with what is known as a “Green Card.”
- Proof of various eligible categories listed below, generally through an employment authorization document (EAD) or other satisfactory documentation. Eligible immigration categories:
- International student with F-1 status
- Asylee
- Refugee
- Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
- Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
- Individuals paroled into the United States whose parole has not expired
- Persons residing in the U.S. pursuant to an Order of Supervision
- Persons granted a stay of deportation/removal
- Persons granted an indefinite voluntary departure
- Persons on whose behalf an immediate relative petition has been approved
- Persons who have filed an application for adjustment of status to permanent resident
- Persons granted Deferred Action Status
- Persons who entered and have continuous residency in the U.S. before 01/01/1972
- Persons granted suspension of deportation or cancellation or cancellation of removal
- Cuban/Haitian entrants
- Persons with a pending application for asylum, withholding of removal or deportation, protection under the Convention Against Torture (CAT), cancellation of removal, or TPS
- Persons in T or U non-immigrant status
- Self-petitioner under the Violence Against Women Act
- Other persons living in the U.S. who are not unlawfully present
