The Immigrant Justice Center (IJC) held its re-grand opening on Sept. 20. IJC decided to change its name from the Toro Dreamers Success Center. They strive to achieve equity and justice for those affected by the immigration system, so they wanted a name that is more in line with their mission, vision, values, and goals.
“We want to make sure that we stop reinforcing the xenophobic ideologies about immigrants and who we are,” said IJC Director Ana Barragan, referring to the letter “A” in the term “DREAMer,” which stands for “Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors.”
The IJC offers services for students on campus, includ- ing financial aid help, as- sistance for those without a social security number, and professional development.
The IJC never had a grand opening in spring of 2017 when it first opened its doors at CSUDH. Technically this was their first grand opening.
The IJC works with the Central American Resource Center to provide free immigration legal services to CSUDH students and their immediate family members. Legal services are also offered to faculty, staff and Toro alumni who have graduated within the past two years.
As of Fall semester 2022, there were more than 600 undocumented students attending CSUDH, according to institutional research and CSUDH I.T.
The IJC aims to help stu- dents and their families with questions regarding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program (DACA), or other questions regarding immigration status.
The Obama administration issued the DACA executive order in 2012 to help support undocumented im- migrants who were brought to the United States as children. Earlier this month, a federal judge in Texas ruled the program was illegal, setting up a potential battle in the U.S. Supreme Court.
“DACA was a temporary band-aid solution…We want to make sure that we continue to build on the tools to know that you can do things legally to advance in this world, regardless of your immigration status,” Barragan said. “There is a little bit more emphasis on changing the mindset that DACA was temporary, and now they can continue their lives without it as well.”
The grand re-opening had a packed turn out, with many students and faculty showing up to the event. “I’m really happy for how it turned out because we worked on it for a long time,” said junior Daniela Montano, who works for the IJC.
Among those in attendance was junior business major and DACA recipient Edgar Mejia-Alezano, who serves as President of CSUDH Associated Students, Inc. Mejia-Alezano said he was devastated by the Texas court’s ruling.
“I’m heartbroken by it,” Mejia-Alezano said. “I just turned 21, and when I think of other students who are like myself, who come from other places trying to get a better education or a better life, it’s just heartbreaking.”
The IJC also provides food to students. Students from College Corps, an organization that brings together college students across the states to address social and basic needs, helped to bring food to the center, including boxed macaroni and cheese, rice, yogurt, and milk.
The IJC offers training for CSUDH faculty and staff who want to help create a welcoming and encourag- ing environment for undocumented students. The next training sessions are planned for late fall and March 2024.
The IJC invites the Toro community to visit its office, located in Locker Student Union, Room 111 or call (310) 243-3837.