Title:Georgetown Reaffirms Policies to Support Undocumented Students

Above: Senator Richard Durbin (F’66, L’69) co-introduced the Dream Act of 2017, a bipartisan bill that would provide a direct road to U.S. citizenship for people who are either undocumented or have temporarily protected status through DACA or another program. “I am proud of my alma mater for its continued support of undocumented students, Dreamers, and the Dream Act,” Durbin told The Hoya in September 2017. “All I ask is that we keep up the fight, louder and more intense than ever, so that the American people and my colleagues in the House and Senate continue to hear stories of these young people and see how passing the Dream Act would make our country a stronger, smarter, and more prosperous country in the future.” In September, Durbin invited a group of Georgetown students who are undocumented to Capitol Hill, where they spent about two hours with him over pizza talking about the Dream Act and viewing speeches on the topic from the Senate gallery.

Understanding that undocumented students face unique challenges, Georgetown recently appointed Arelis Palacios as the first associate director for undocumented student services. Palacios facilitates guidance and legal aid for students and serves in an educational and outreach capacity.

“In my one-on-one conversations with these students, I’ve found that they show an extraordinary level of self-awareness and self-determination,” Palacios says. “Many have struggled with complex circumstances and navigated through daily struggles. When they graduate from Georgetown, they are connected, resourced, and ready to affect social change if given the opportunity to establish their livelihoods in this country.”

The university also established a partnership with Catholic Charities’ Immigration Legal Services to provide legal support to undocumented students and with the Office of Federal Relations to advocate for change at the federal level alongside the American Council on Education and the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities.

Luis Gonzalez (C’19)

An American studies and government major from Santa Ana, California

When did you first learn of your undocumented status?

I came to the United States when I was 8. I was aware of the differences that separated me from my peers. However I did not fully grasp that one of these differences had to do with citizenship status until I began to seriously consider applying to college. I wanted to enroll in programs that would provide me with financial support, but many of these programs required that I be a citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States, so I couldn’t even apply.

What challenges have you faced as an undocumented student?

I have had to overcome many challenges to ensure I am able to break the cycle of poverty for my family. Some of these challenges include learning a different language, navigating an environment where my otherness cannot go unnoticed, asking the tough questions about whether a particular program or resource is open to undocumented students, living in a constant state of fear not knowing what federal immigration policy changes (or the lack thereof ) will happen, and grappling with my mom’s undocumented status. It can be hard to focus on my studies at Georgetown while having to process and worry about all of these challenges.

How does Georgetown support you?

Georgetown has become increasingly supportive by not only ensuring I have financial and academic support, but also by engaging in immigration policy conversations, particularly pushing for a permanent legislative solution for undocumented students. Nevertheless, it is important to recognize it took several years of advocacy by UndocuHoyas to make the university aware of the challenges we face. We shared our stories through every avenue we could, including meetings with administrators and opinion pieces in university newspapers. After years of advocacy, we can see the tremendous progress Georgetown has made, and in this journey, it has become a leader within higher education in supporting undocumented students.

“These young people belong here. They have earned their places on our campus and they are poised to contribute to the future of our nation.” —Georgetown President John J. DeGioia in a joint letter to Congress

Agnes Lee (F’17)

Analyst, Citibank, Los Angeles

When did you first learn of your undocumented status?

When I began to think about applying to college, my mother told me that I would have to apply as an international student because I wasn’t a permanent resident or a citizen. At the time, I didn’t even know what to call this status, as I hadn’t learned about the term “undocumented.” This led to a pretty serious identity crisis. My mom had always taught me to be afraid of police and be quiet and understated when in their presence.

What challenges have you faced as an undocumented student?

I never pursued studying abroad, as I felt I couldn’t risk not being allowed back into the country. When it came time to renew my DACA status, I spent most of my days worrying and my nights sleepless, calling my mom every hour to see if any news had come in the mail. When applying for jobs, I found that many required U.S. citizenship or green card status, therefore making me ineligible despite my work authorization. When planning for my future, the uncertain nature of my status forced me to think about what sacrifices I would have to make: How would I fulfill my calling as an immigration lawyer if I were subject to deportation? How would I survive without my mom—my only family and my rock—if she or I were deported?

How did Georgetown support you?

The Georgetown Scholarship Program, the Center for Multicultural Equity & Access, Arelis Palacios, and the Office of the President provided funds to fly home to renew my DACA application as well as contacts for legal services. They also listened to students’ qualms when this country silenced our voices, promised that we would be safe in the face of a DACA discontinuation, championed our success, and fostered a community that respected our privacy and security while encouraging our empowerment and growth. They walked the walk of cura personalis.