Spring 2015
Committee:
Equitable Practices Committee
Whereas, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has identified an estimate of three million undocumented immigrants, in the State of California, as of 2011 making up 24% of the entire undocumented population in the Nation (Passel 2008, #1).
Whereas, each year roughly 65,000 undocumented students graduate from high school, but less than 20% of these students enroll in college (Abrego & Gonzales, 2010, #2). Due to lack of social security number, undocumented students cannot secure legal gainful employment and are often charged non-resident fees. In California, undocumented students have access to college through the law: AB540, AB130, and AB131. While these state policies alleviate some financial burden, eligibility for such policies are limited but combined make college access and retention more realistic for some undocumented students.
Whereas, many undocumented youth, families, and educators are unaware and/or uninformed of these policies. California undocumented youth often navigate college via involvement in off-site organizations such as CHIRLA (Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles) and the California Dream Network which provide information, scholarships and various workshops for undocumented youth and allies. Yet, no centralized place exists on college campuses that provide specialized support services and resources designed for undocumented student success.
Whereas, legislation has been introduced in the California Assembly (AB1366) and State Senate (SB 247) to establish Dream Resource Centers at public K-12 schools and state colleges to support undocumented students in California. These bills aims to increase student success and foster an undocumented student receptive culture at all colleges through the following outcomes: 1) Increase translation of documents and materials for literacy of programs and resources vital to undocumented student recruitment and retention; 2) develop literacy of university, state, and federal policies affecting undocumented students; 3) enhance professional development and leadership skills; 4) increase on-campus engagement for low-income students; and 5) facilitate collaboration and networking between undocumented youth, peers, faculty staff, administrators, and community members.
Resolved, that the Student Senate of California Community Colleges support the enactment of AB1366 and SB247 to establish a Dream Resource Center to provide support and services to seek the retention of undocumented youth in college.
Whereas Citations:
Passel, J., Cohn, D. (2008, October 2nd). Trends In Unauthorized Immigration: Undocumented Inflow Now Trails Legal Inflow. Retrieved from http://www.pewhispanic.org/2008/10/02/trends-in-unauthorized-immigration/
Abrego, L., Gonzales, R. (2010, April 20th). Blocked Paths, Uncertain Futures: The Postsecondary Education and Labor Market Prospects of Undocumented Youth. Retrieved from http://www.academia.edu/1561813/Abrego_Leisy_J._and_Roberto_G._Gonzales._2010._Blocked_Paths_Uncertain_Futures_The_Postsecondary_Education_and_Labor_Market_Prospects_of_Undocumented_Youth._Journal_of_Education_for_Students_Placed_at_Risk_15_1
Whereas, each year roughly 65,000 undocumented students graduate from high school, but less than 20% of these students enroll in college (Abrego & Gonzales, 2010, #2). Due to lack of social security number, undocumented students cannot secure legal gainful employment and are often charged non-resident fees. In California, undocumented students have access to college through the law: AB540, AB130, and AB131. While these state policies alleviate some financial burden, eligibility for such policies are limited but combined make college access and retention more realistic for some undocumented students.
Whereas, many undocumented youth, families, and educators are unaware and/or uninformed of these policies. California undocumented youth often navigate college via involvement in off-site organizations such as CHIRLA (Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles) and the California Dream Network which provide information, scholarships and various workshops for undocumented youth and allies. Yet, no centralized place exists on college campuses that provide specialized support services and resources designed for undocumented student success.
Whereas, legislation has been introduced in the California Assembly (AB1366) and State Senate (SB 247) to establish Dream Resource Centers at public K-12 schools and state colleges to support undocumented students in California. These bills aims to increase student success and foster an undocumented student receptive culture at all colleges through the following outcomes: 1) Increase translation of documents and materials for literacy of programs and resources vital to undocumented student recruitment and retention; 2) develop literacy of university, state, and federal policies affecting undocumented students; 3) enhance professional development and leadership skills; 4) increase on-campus engagement for low-income students; and 5) facilitate collaboration and networking between undocumented youth, peers, faculty staff, administrators, and community members.
Resolved, that the Student Senate of California Community Colleges support the enactment of AB1366 and SB247 to establish a Dream Resource Center to provide support and services to seek the retention of undocumented youth in college.
Whereas Citations:
Passel, J., Cohn, D. (2008, October 2nd). Trends In Unauthorized Immigration: Undocumented Inflow Now Trails Legal Inflow. Retrieved from http://www.pewhispanic.org/2008/10/02/trends-in-unauthorized-immigration/
Abrego, L., Gonzales, R. (2010, April 20th). Blocked Paths, Uncertain Futures: The Postsecondary Education and Labor Market Prospects of Undocumented Youth. Retrieved from http://www.academia.edu/1561813/Abrego_Leisy_J._and_Roberto_G._Gonzales._2010._Blocked_Paths_Uncertain_Futures_The_Postsecondary_Education_and_Labor_Market_Prospects_of_Undocumented_Youth._Journal_of_Education_for_Students_Placed_at_Risk_15_1