On September 13, a federal judge declared the adjusted version of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) illegal. This was a further blow to a program that has been debated in court for more than five years.
Two weeks after this decision, San Francisco State University’s Dream Resource Center and a club named IDEAS, which stands for Improving Dreams, Equity, Access, and Success, began raising awareness for undocumented students on campus. The first event was held for one month with the aim of increasing the number of students.
The event, which kicked off Rising Beyond Borders: Undocumented Student Month of Action, was not created as a reaction to a decision made in federal court. This month’s event was planned over the summer and took place several months before the September 13 decision. Organizers said the event’s main goal was to create a safe space for undocumented students to forget their immigration status, even if only for a moment. . But as the months passed, each event served as an act of defiance against the decisions made against DACA and as an assurance to the undocumented community that it had allies on campus.
“What was really important and what was really moving was the collaboration of the students and the students and faculty,” said Oliver Elias Tinoco, president of IDEAS and event organizer. . “Without the community, there is no club. There is no reason for the club to exist if it does not serve and contribute to the community it ultimately wants to champion.”
Aside from being the president of IDEAS, Tinoco is an undocumented student. They explained that their DACA applications have been frozen for more than two years, and that although they live in California, their future as citizens is in the hands of the country’s politicians. Tinoco also recognizes that they are not the only students with this status on campus, and that more undocumented students will arrive at SFSU in the future. So they worked hard to host events to raise awareness of programs created for undocumented students.
“My biggest goal is [is] “When I say I completed my higher education, I want to graduate knowing that I made the higher education journey just a little bit easier for the next brown queer undocumented student to come here,” Tinoco said. “For me, even if it means clubs like IDEAS are as visible as other clubs, even if it means doing undocumented Student Month activities every year. That’s enough.”
There were five major events in October, some featuring special guests including poets, activists, executives, and alumni. The event touched on a variety of themes, including LGBTQ+ and economic issues.
Griselda Madrigal Lara, Dream Resource Coordinator and event organizer, explained that the reaction of the student speakers was very positive.
“It was really amazing to see them all come out and perform,” Madrigal Lara said. “It’s really exciting to see that potential on campus and I’m looking forward to next year.” [event] And how can it be improved? ”
The final event was about financial information from business owner Rosa Salamanca. She is the co-founder of her Colorful Cultura and an unaccredited alumnus of California State University, Northridge. She spoke about making money and starting a business in the United States as an illegal alien, and recognized the importance of events such as Rising Beyond Borders.
“There are not many ways to support undocumented students because they often have limitations,” Salamanca said. “As institutions of higher education seek to admit students from diverse backgrounds, they must also take responsibility for providing appropriate services to help students succeed and grow both within and beyond the university.”
Mr. Tinoco explained that the activities over the past month have helped more students find the Dream Resource Center and IDEAS, but the lack of information about the center has made it difficult to find a space. I was grieving. But they also believe that as events like Rising Beyond Borders continue, the administration will heed the need for information regarding resources for undocumented students.
“I think they paid attention and I think it’s because we asked for the same,” Tinoco said. “The specific intention is [of the kick-off event] It was about bringing as many people into Malcolm X as possible. It was to get as many people as possible to participate in the murals and arts and crafts, talk to vendors, talk to resources, talk to organizations on campus and off campus.We were invited because we wanted [administration] Please be assured that this is a community that will not be ignored and is supported by the SFSU community. ”