College of the Desert Supports Undocumented Students
A message from Dr. Martha Garcia, Superintendent/President
Dear Roadrunner Community,
Earlier this week, the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals issued a ruling that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program violates federal law. The decision is deeply concerning for our campus community. The ongoing threat to end the DACA program has caused continued stress and uncertainty on those the program intended to protect – many of our students and employees. At College of the Desert and at the core of California Community Colleges, we believe everyone has the right to pursue their academic and career goals regardless of their national origin, race or creed, how they identify or their immigration status.
The Fifth Circuit’s decision does not change the status quo that restricts new, first-time DACA applicants from applying. It does, however, provide a window of opportunity for current or recently-expired DACA recipients to reapply while a review is pending in the lower court.
The College is committed to providing resources to our students, our robust Dreamer Resource Center serves as a hub to serve a resource to students. We encourage faculty and staff to refer students to the Center by contacting Counselor Rubi Becerril-Gonzalez at rbecerrilgonzalez@collegeofthedesert.edu.
The Center offers the following:
- Free immigration legal services through our partnership with TODEC Legal Services;
- Mental health support through student health and wellness center;
- Dedicated space with computer access, printing, study, lounge;
- Dedicated counselor to assist with academics, matriculation, personal and career counseling;
- Dedicated scholarship opportunities;
- Assistance completing financial aid applications;
- Information hub for regular information updates for undocumented students.
For additional resources to help support all undocumented California Community Colleges, visit this section of the Chancellor's Office website.
For the last ten years, the DACA program has been protecting hundreds of thousands of undocumented students from the fear of deportation and supported an educated population and advanced socioeconomic stability for historically marginalized populations. DACA recipients are woven into the fabric of our community and play a vital role in our community as doctors, educators, essential workers and more.
While the fate of the program is ultimately out of our control, we will continue to support our valued Roadrunners. Please know that College of the Desert is firmly committed to the belief that the undocumented community has a place at the College. We will continue to welcome and serve all of our campus community.
We will continue to monitor this matter as it works its way through the court system, and we are committed to providing information and identifying resources for our undocumented community.
Sincerely,
Martha Garcia, Ed.D.,
Superintendent/President
