Colleges join for Undocumented Student Action Week

Posted on: Oct 20, 2021 12:00:00 AM
In: District
Arts and Culture
Contact: Della Elliott della.elliott@gcccd.edu

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, acclaimed filmmaker and immigration advocate Jose Antonio Vargas will be a featured speaker as Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges mark Undocumented Student Action Week.

The week of online events are part of a campaign by community colleges across California to advocate and provide resources for the undocumented student population. Highlighting the week is Vargas’ presentation, “Defining American,” set for 3-4 p.m. Thursday, Oct 2. To receive a Zoom link to attend, submit an RSVP for the free, public event at https://bit.ly/JoseAntonioVargas_102121.

Vargas’ presentation is an online event sponsored jointly by San Diego County community colleges and the San Diego Community College District.

Born in the Philippines and raised in the United States from age 12, Vargas was part of the Washington Post team that won the Pulitzer Prize for Breaking News Reporting in 2008 for coverage of the Virginia Tech shooting that left 32 people dead and 17 wounded. Vargas is also heralded for newspaper and magazine articles he wrote about his status as an undocumented immigrant. In 2014, he wrote, directed and produced the autobiographical film, “Documented: A film by and Undocumented American,” presented by CNN films.

California’s community colleges hold a commemoration for undocumented students each year in collaboration with the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office, the Community College League of California, the Foundation for California Community Colleges, Immigrants Rising and the Student Senate for California Community Colleges.

Serving the largest population of undocumented students in the state, California community colleges want to convey the fundamental message that they are committed to serving all students, regardless of immigration status.

This year’s action week serves as an opportunity to highlight the challenges undocumented students face in today’s political climate and amid COVID-19. All the events are being held through Zoom and are free and open to the public. Registration links are accessible at https://tinyurl.com/undocuweek2021

In addition to Vargas’ presentation, Grossmont and Cuyamaca colleges are jointly presenting the following virtual workshops:

• Wednesday, Oct. 20: 3-4 p.m.:DACA, Pathway to Citizenship, Immigration
• Wednesday, Oct. 20: 5-6:30 p.m.: Financial Aid Presentation for Undocumented Students and Their Families (bilingual presentation)
• Friday, Oct. 22: 1-2 p.m.:Using My Student Voice (Cuyamaca/Grossmont students create a space for undocumented/DACA-status students can share ideas to improve the campus climate)