The normal stress and challenges of college life can be magnified when a student is facing possible expulsion from their school, their life and the country. Becoming an ally for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) undocumented students can not only help their educational pursuits, but also assist in their well-being, according to Southern Illinois University Edwardsville junior Tannya Cristina Sánchez.
Sánchez was one of seven SIUE students and staff who attended the “I Support Illinois Undocumented Students” Ally Training on Friday, Oct. 25 at the University of Illinois (U of I) at Urbana-Champaign. Other students attending were Marisol Corral, Amy Corrales, Fatima Gonzalez and Carla Márquez- López. Accompanying them were Elizabeth Caldieraro and Kirsten McDermott, both managers in the Office of Student Financial Aid.
“I attended the training on DACA and undocumented students, because I heard about it during the celebration of Latinx Heritage Month at SIUE,” said Márquez- López, a junior majoring in Spanish. “I support DACA and undocumented students, as I am aware that the majority simply would like to receive an education and contribute to the well-being of this country.”
“On Wednesday, Oct. 2, SIUE and the Center for Student Diversity and Inclusion (CSDI) were thrilled to host Dr. Gioconda Guerra Perez, assistant vice chancellor for Diversity and Academic Inclusive Excellence at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, as part of the Latinx Heritage Month Celebration,” recalled Miriam Roccia, associate vice chancellor for the Office of Student Affairs. “Dr. Perez presented an afternoon session entitled, ‘Supporting Undocumented Students.’ During the session, and in discussions following, many in attendance communicated a desire to be able to do more and better support DACA students.”
During Perez’s presentation, she informed participants about the DACA Ally training at U of I. Coordinating the SIUE contingent’s trip to the training was Carolina Rocha, PhD, professor in the Department of Foreign Languages and Literature.
“CSDI was excited to partner with Dr. Carolina Rocha and the Office of Financial Aid to send two staff members and five students to the training,” said Roccia.
“DACA students face limitations, as they cannot apply for/nor receive federal funding,” said Rocha, who teaches and researches immigration. “Universities and colleges have created, and are creating ways, to welcome them and support their education. Because DACA dates from 2012 and is still somewhat new, it requires keeping up with changes in legislation that allow students to work and study.
“In addition, opportunities such as studying abroad are not available for undocumented students, as they cannot leave the United States. Therefore, staff and faculty need to be aware of what DACA students can and cannot do, and devise strategies to help them succeed in their studies.”
“As an immigrant, I do understand at some level, the struggles and barriers undocumented, including DACA, students face,” said Sánchez, originally from Ecuador and a junior majoring in Spanish education. “Most of them represent hope for their families when they attend school, but the pressure of being undocumented can impact their performance in and out of the classroom. It is vital that we be more empathetic about their situation, and try to provide them with the right resources and contacts during their educational path."
“There are many units and people at SIUE who are aware of undocumented students,” noted Rocha. “While Student Affairs have been involved in various ways, we have to come together to coordinate efforts and the flow of information. I met with (Director of Admissions) Todd Burrell, and we discussed ways we could develop a supportive environment for these students.
“I learned that there was a training organized by Student Affairs at SIUE in December 2017,” continued Rocha. “Hopefully, we can set up another one soon to bring together those interested in understanding DACA, and help our undocumented students feel welcomed and supported at SIUE.”