Campus Commitment to Supporting Undocumented Students

Fostering a supportive climate for all students, especially those from underrepresented groups, is a core tenet of our aspirations of inclusive excellence at UCI. I write to share a new resource to help fortify the campus commitment to supporting undocumented students as well as students with family members who are undocumented.

In many ways, undocumented students are much like their peers. They represent the best and brightest of their generation and they are inspired to shape the future by completing their education at UCI. The lack of permanent immigration status for themselves or family members, imposes a heavy burden as they navigate their undergraduate and graduate education. Challenges include the threat and reality of deportation, separation of family members, housing insecurity, financial uncertainty, and anti-immigrant rhetoric, among others.

Developed by a team of faculty experts and the director of the UCI DREAM Center, the “Promoting Equity, Encouraging Success” brochure offers faculty and staff guidelines for how to best support undocumented students in responsible and respectful ways, including:

• Signal your support
• Discuss immigration-related issues accurately and sensitively
• Help protect students’ safety
• Ensure that financial need does not disrupt academic performance
• Offer alternative professional development opportunities for career and graduate school preparation
• Educate yourself and students about the resources UCI provides

By familiarizing yourself with this valuable resource, you will take the first step toward providing for the safety and support for undocumented students and together we will strengthen the bonds of community to further advance inclusive excellence.

Expect Equity, Support Diversity, Practice Inclusion, and Honor Free Speech