WHEREAS, The California Community College (CCC) system serves the largest population of undocumented students in the nation, with an estimated 100,000 undocumented students enrolled statewide and right now the demand for legal services among undocumented students has significantly increased following recent federal immigration policies, with nonprofit legal service providers reporting months-long backlogs in consultation requests from students seeking guidance on their legal rights and potential pathways to citizenship;
WHEREAS, Nearly half of California’s 116 community colleges lack a dedicated Dream Center, leaving many undocumented students without access to essential services such as legal aid, financial aid assistance, mental health resources, and academic support;
WHEREAS, California has allocated $52.2 million over five years to support Dream Resource Centers and liaisons, yet disparities remain in access to these resources across CCC campuses, highlighting the need for a standardized requirement for Dream Centers statewide; and
WHEREAS, Colleges with established Dream Centers, such as San José City College and Pierce College, report higher engagement, improved retention rates, and increased student access to legal and mental health support, demonstrating the positive impact of centralized, fully staffed Dream Centers; Now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges advocate for the mandatory establishment of a physical Dream Center at every California Community College campus to ensure equitable access to legal, financial, and academic support for undocumented students;
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges urge the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office to require each CCC to establish a Dream Center within three years with dedicated staff and comprehensive services such as legal aid, mental health support, financial aid guidance, academic and career advising, and a safe space for undocumented students;
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges collaborate with undocumented student advocacy organizations, legal service providers, and policymakers to develop a standardized model for Dream Centers ensuring consistent support services across all CCC campuses; and
RESOLVED, That the Student Senate for California Community Colleges actively engage in awareness campaigns to highlight the importance of Dream Centers, collaborates with local student governments and advocacy groups, and advocates for continued funding at the state level to protect and empower undocumented students.
Citations
[1]https://calmatters.org/education/higher-education/college-beat/2025/02/…
[2]https://unitedwedream.org/resources/5-proactive-steps-for-college-admin…
[3]https://calmatters.org/education/higher-education/2023/11/undocumented-…
[4]chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://www.smc.edu/student-support/documents/The%20War%20Still%20Conti…
[5]https://www.higheredimmigrationportal.org/state/california/ [6]https://collegecampaign.org/undocumented-student-campus-resources