San Diego Continuing Education (SDCE) joins forces with California Community Colleges during Undocumented Student Week of Action from October 15, 2018 through October 19, 2018.

The week of advocacy aims to support and build awareness around undocumented students and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or Dreamers throughout the state.

“San Diego is home to hundreds of DACA recipients who are now working, studying in college, or enlisting in the armed forces. Dreamers make significant and direct contributions to our communities and economy and deserve to live without fear of deportation,” said Maureen Rubalcaba, SDCE’s Dean of Student Equity. “Educational institutions have tremendous power to be reliable sources of information, stability, and comfort to students and their families. Students need to know they are welcomed, have opportunity, and are safe.”

Cristina Rosas, a DACA student whose father got deported from the United States (US) when she was just five years old, graduated with her high school diploma from SDCE in 2017. “Growing up it was very hard for me and my mom. When my dad got deported we found ourselves in a tight situation. My mom couldn't pay the rent. We were all crammed into a single room with four of us sleeping in one bed.”

Rosas enrolled at SDCE in 2015, the same year the California Dream Act was instituted. Rosas’ parents were only able to complete the third grade before leaving Tecpán de Galeana, Mexico for the US. “I was the first one to graduate high school out of my family and go to college. I want this to encourage my brothers to get their diplomas too.”

Undocumented Student Week of Action Events at SDCE include:

“ALL” WELCOME WEEK KICK-OFF BOOTHS

Monday 10/15 – Friday 10/19/18 | SDCE Campuses

DACA Resources, Advocacy, and Information

EMBRACE YOUR FUTURE: EDUCATION, EXCELLENCE, EMPOWERMENT

Tuesday 10/16 | 12:30-4:30pm | Educational Cultural Complex, Room 81

The National Conflict Resolution Center (NCRC) presents a workshop for Immigrant and Refugee students.

Wednesday 10/17 | 12:30-4:30pm | Mid-City Campus, Room 117

WEEK OF ACTION WEBINAR: KNOW YOUR LEGAL RIGHTS

Tuesday 10/16 | 11am | César Chávez Campus

WEEK OF ACTION WEBINAR: PRIORITIZE MENTAL HEALTH

Thursday 10/18 | 11am | Educational Cultural Complex

CAREER ASSESSMENTS: SUPPORTING UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS TO SUCCESS BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

Thursday 10/18 | 11:30-1:00pm | Educational Cultural Complex, Room 122

Career Assessments for Making an Informed Decision on Career or Educational Program