Cal State San Bernardino has joined the 22 other California State University (CSU) campuses in urging Congress to pass permanent legislation protections for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients and Dreamers. 

On Nov. 14, the CSU released a public letter to California’s two U.S. senators, Diane Feinstein and Alex Padilla, specifically. The letter notes that the 23 campuses serve “approximately 10,000 Dreamers students and 500 employees with DACA status.” “Dreamers” is the term used to identify undocumented youth based on the 2001 DREAM (Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors) Act, which sought to provide legal residency to undocumented youth.

The letter goes on to state that, “nothing short of a clear pathway to citizenship will offer our CSU family the certainty with which to pursue a degree and stable employment.”

This letter was sent out in advance of the national Higher Education Dream Advocacy week organized by the President’s Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration. 

Amidst legislative uncertainty, CSUSB continues to offer tailored support services to the diverse undocumented student community on campus, some of whom identify as undocumented, Dreamers or DACA recipients. 

At the CSUSB Undocumented Student Success Center (USSC), students can find a welcoming, affirming, community space. Students can also receive academic advising specific to navigating higher education with an undocumented immigration status. What majors and professions can undocumented students pursue? What should be considered if they do or do not have work authorization? Can graduate school or professional degrees be an option for undocumented students? These are some of the conversations USSC staff have with students.

“Thanks to years of organized, undocumented community advocacy, our students have more doors open to them than they first realize,” said Jairo Leon, USSC director.

CSUSB also has a partnership with the Central American Resource Center (CARECEN), through which undocumented students and campus affiliates can receive immigration legal services at no cost. The legal team can help with Naturalization, DACA renewals, Advance Parole, TPS Renewals, U-Visa/VAWA and more. Appointments can be made at the USSC Legal Services webpage.

CSUSB and the CSU system will continue to advocate on behalf of our undocumented community. Jolene Koester, CSU interim chancellor, states that Dreamers, “seek a better life for themselves and their families, as they contribute to the strength of the CSU and their own communities through service and leadership.”

Stay informed of the latest and accurate policies impacting undocumented students through trustworthy organizations such as Informed Immigrant and by following the USSC Instagram.

You can also join CSU advocacy efforts by calling the local office of U.S. Sen. Diane Feinstein and U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla. 

  • U.S. Sen. Diane Feinstein
    11111 Santa Monica Blvd., Suite 915
    Los Angeles, CA 90025
    Phone: (310) 914-7300
    Fax: (310) 914-7318
     
  • U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla
    255 E. Temple St.
    Suite 1860
    Los Angeles, CA 90012
    Phone: (310) 231-4494
    Fax: (202) 224-0357