Kenia Calderon has been an active leader since 2013, when she became vocal about her lack of legal status to improve the lives of the undocumented youth in Des Moines. Over the last four years, she has met undocumented high schoolers to motivate and guide them as they navigate the higher education system. Her fight for civil rights include fighting for low income families to have access financial institutions, access to higher education, and standing with street vendors as they fought for their rights at the city level. Kenia has lobbied for different causes that affect the most vulnerable in our city. She lobbied for credit unions to not be regulated like banks because these financial institutions have efforts around serving the unbanked
Raised in Arvin and one of my former classmates, Gurrola comes from a family of Mexican immigrants and understands the disparities my community faces. In an effort to increase access to higher education, Gurrola contributed to the passage of a county proposition allocating funds to establish a community college campus in Arvin. Additionally, he has collaborated with community organizations by increasing access to clean drinking water and has demonstrated support towards immigrant rights when announcing the city would not use its resources to enforce deportation orders.
Ariana Vivas was only 9 years old when she handed a note to Illinois Representative Luis Gutiérrez during a press conference an advocacy group had organized. Ariana, like many young Hispanics, had been born in the Unites States. However, her father was part of the recent deportations that countless undocumented immigrants and family members dread. Ariana’s testimony of her father’s deportation is a common story among children with undocumented parents. The documentary, Immigration Battle, explores the controversial issue of immigration. Immigration Battle takes you inside the halls of Congress to give you a perspective of the fight for immigration reform, the debate, the politics, and how Washington really works.
As they go through their college years, undocumented students face the burdens of not having the financial aid and the legal stability required for success. The support provided to undocumented college students comes from their peers because they can count of each other and relate to each other. The social networks undocumented students create with trusted peers and staff are a fundamental part to help them get through the difficult times that impact their college success. One way for undocumented students to find support is through college organizations where students can feel safe (Hallett, 2013). Undocumented students can gain resources and information about topics like immigration laws and financial opportunities in their campus and at the same time be able to connect with more students and college staff. The Dream Project is one of the safe spaces “Dreamers” can count on at California State University,
Anna Garcia died unexpectedly on a hot summer day. The EMT broke down the door and found Anna lying face down on the floor. The case is being investigated. The persons of interest are Alex Garcia, Anna’s former husband; Doug Greene, Anna’s neighbor; Erica Piedmont, Alex’s new wife; and Lucy Leffingwell, Anna’s best friend. The person who is most suspicious of having something to do with Anna’s death is her former husband, Alex Garcia.
Every year thousands of undocumented students graduate from high school with uncertainty about a post-secondary education. Many of these students do not have the financial means, and are often too scared about their legal status to continue their education. This issue is extremely prevalent in the state of California, hosting 2.6 million “alien residents”, it has the largest population of undocumented immigrants (Gonzales, 2006). Immigration policies have been controversial topics in the United States for a long time. Although there is still an ongoing debate about reforming the current immigration laws, there has been progress in making post-secondary education a possibility for undocumented students. This paper will focus
Imagine a world with an educated youth. Now imagine a parallel world where children are fighting to keep a smile on their faces, because, in truth, it is the only thing they have. In reality, this is what is happening. Youth, who have the privilege to be American citizens, are granted a very fulfilling education with a promise of a career. Children of illegal and undocumented immigrants do not have such luck. Some undocumented children in America have very promising futures and even a degree under their belts, but they cannot apply for a job because they have no proof of citizenship. A controversial topic is the matter of the DREAM Act (Development, Relief, and Education, for Alien Minors) which permits undocumented immigrants to obtain
Dr. Cesar A. Cruz, a migrant from Guadalajara, Jalisco, México, unpacked a demonstration at DVC to support the DACAmented community. Subjects such as emotions, getting to advocacy and different resources were provided by him and other advocates to step out of our comfort zone and support those who the government sees as “illegal aliens”. Under the fourthteeth
Undocumented students are becoming a growing outrage in the United States. It has been a constant battle amongst the students, the schools, and the Government. According to collegeboard.com, statistics shows that 65,000 undocumented students graduate from U.S. high schools each year (collegeboard.com).After graduating high school they face legal and financial barriers to higher education. This paper will address the importance of this growing outrage and discuss the following that corresponds to it.
Despite Salinas being known for the vibrancy of the people, it is notorious for the gang violence. Nevertheless, Salinas holds a pulchritudinous youth group wanting to better their community and end the violence. This group is called the Salinas Valley Dream Academy, where high school students are empowered to strive for higher education and become active participants in the community. The Salinas Valley Dream Academy holds an annual rally based on important topics in our community. Some of the topics during the rally include gang violence, DACA, and the rights of field workers. I have participated in these rallies and know the impact it has made in my community. About one hundred students along with the academy coordinators march the most
Born to Hispanic immigrants Juan and Celina Baez Sotomayor on June, 25th, 1954, I was raised in the Bronx (one of New York’s five boroughs) as the eldest of two. My brother, Juan Sotomayor, and I had a happy childhood, until my father died suddenly in 1963, leaving us in my mother’s care. Though my mother barely made due as a nurse, she managed to send my
Growing up in an immigrant community exposed me to the issues and mindsets of people I will be tasked with engaging. I know firsthand how sunny day flooding affects a mother’s commute from work to her child’s school, the determination of young activists who want to tackle economic and environmental issues simultaneously, and the excitement of engaged voters discovering new ways get involved. My experiences alongside these communities will help me find the most relevant issues and craft the right campaigns to elevate Chispa, LCV, and activists who have yet to find an amplifier for their voice.
I. Introduction A. The object of study is to analyze the experiences of undocumented women through an intersectional lens. It is important in understanding the limitations of sanctuary cities and the unique experiences these women face in comparison to other populations. B. Thesis statement: Despite the rise of sanctuary cities and their promise for inclusivity and protection, undocumented women continue to face exclusion in urban spaces and limited access to urban rights due to their marginalized position in society. C.
“My parents have been keeping a secret from me” my best friend Katia told me one day during our Algebra II class. I looked at her in confusion I didn’t understand why she was so upset, or any idea what her parents would be hiding from her. Looking at her, her face ever so frustrated, she told me “I don’t have a social security, I wasn’t born here, I’m an illegal immigrant”. This was very heavy news, considering the fact that we were only sophomores in high school. I couldn’t imagine the devastation she had to face when she was told by her parents that she couldn’t do or participate in certain things because of her immigration status, that discovery of course, she told me, was very hard for her. Anxiety over deportation should not have been a constant fear for her or anyone’s high school agenda, failing a course, now this, should have been the only scary thing about being in high school. Being the child of two illegal immigrants,who had just received their United States residency, myself, I saw how much my parents struggled. Both of my parents come from underprivileged families who immigrated to the United States came from Mexico to achieve a better life as teenagers. They later met here, got married, and had me here in San Jose, where I became a first generation United States citizen. I saw the amount of time and especially money invested in obtaining their residency, something, by what I understand, a high schooler has a very limited supply of. Time
As student representatives of the South San Enrichment Club, part of our mission for our campus’ greatness is to create safe spaces on campus by bringing awareness to important issues affecting our students and community. The immigration debate touches many lives in San Antonio and even more so at South San. As a club we are interested in hosting a forum on immigration to provide information on the current laws and policies dealing with this complicated issue, as well as show support and be inclusive to all students, families, and staff members, regardless of their status. Recently, UTSA held a town hall meeting on immigration, during which they approved the ‘Know Your Rights’ trainings. After this meeting, SAISD and Edgewood have adopted and
Immigration is a controversial topic to those who call America home, for those who wish to call America home, and for those who called America home until they were deported. For us in America, we have an abundance of opportunities to better ourselves, our lives, and our families. For the people north, east, south, and west of the United States of America, the circumstances are completely different. For their freedom along with a better livelihood, these people risk everything to come to the “Most Wealthy Country in the World”. People are people and every person deserves a chance. We propose this program to help give all people a chance. The “All People Matter” (APM) program is to help undocumented immigrants become United States citizens while benefiting U.S. citizens as well. All People Matter will educate undocumented children in public school systems, use English-speaking immigrants to teach foreign languages in public school systems, and help educate undocumented citizens about military opportunities.