California State University Long Beach is holding its annual “UndocU Conference” in April to draw attention to “the diverse and intersectional Identities of Undocumented people.”
The conference’s description describes undocumented people as “typically neglected and overlooked.” It adds that the program will “facilitate community building and networking through interactive activities and discussions” and will “feature papers, presentations, and roundtables focused on research within, in support of, and conducted by members of the community.”
Topics to be covered in the conference include “undocumented student experiences, building campus support systems, youth resilience & activism, inclusive research opportunities, and access to paid professional development.” Some of the conference’s sessions include ”Putting on your UndocuLens: Advocating for Undocumented Students in Higher Education,“ “Entrepreneurship Unbound: Thriving Without Work Authorization,” and “Grocery Assistance Program for Undocumented Students.”
The conference, linked to the Dream Success Center (DSC), aims to “provide a space for undocumented students and allies of varying disciplines to share their academic research,” the description notes.
According to its website, the DSC’s mission is committed to “supporting the diverse undocumented student community by providing programs and initiatives that focus on academic support, mental health, career and professional development, and Identity exploration. We seek to empower the undocumented student experience by advocating for equity, promoting allyship, fostering partnerships, and creating dialogue of current issues.”
The DSC further offers “UndocuAlly Training,” which was “developed in an effort to support retention and graduation for CSULB’s undocumented students.”
“We invite those who are interested in becoming allies of undocumented students to attend an UndocuAlly Training,” the training description says. “This training will feature topics such as: immigration history, federal and state laws and policies, financial aid, a student panel, and what it means to be an undocumented ally.”
