On Jan. 25, hundreds of people gathered to discuss, debate, and find new ways to support undocumented students at the “National Educator Conference” at the University of California, Berkeley.
The event aimed to encourage the entire community, not just migrant, to expose and listen to ideas that support undocumented students to achieve the goal of higher education. Moreover, the event suggested that educators should do so by reminding their undocumented students that there is a whole community behind them that is working to support them.
The convention was organized by many organizations including Educators for Fair Consideration (E4FC). They are a group that is committed to helping undocumented youth achieve their academic goals, and encourages them to make active contributions to society.
The conference was attended by Cesar Cruz (Harvard graduate and founder of Homies Empowerment in Oakland), Antonio Vargas (Philippine Migrants, journalist and founder of Define America) Aarti Kohli (Kohli Strategic Consulting), Ju Hong (Member of E4FC Scholar), and members of the ‘‘Undocumented Students Program” at U.C. Berkeley, created by students of the institution, among others.
Ju Hong has become one of the new faces in the fight against deportation and an example for hundreds of people. Last year, he interrupted a speech by President Obama in San Francisco, asking him to put an end definitive separation of hundreds of families.
“The allies should keep on sharing their stories. It requires a collective force,” said Hong— advice that he suggests that educators, and students follow this year. “You don’t have to give up. You have to speak out against injustice.”
Hong believes that he is going down the right path—as last year the number of undocumented youth that obtained work permits and protection against deportation reached 450,000. They hope that the number will increase this year, thanks to the continuation of the DACA and Dream Act programs.
Proceeding his speech, one of the most applauded and notable of the day, César Cruz presented his story, a story about a child immigrant.
“If we go 20 years back, I was sleeping in this building,” said Cruz, sharing the story of his life as an undocumented immigrant. “ Today I am here talking with you in this building—16 years later, I graduated.”
Cruz stole the crowd’s heart, who listened attentively to each word of his speech. Using photos, videos, and a strong sense of passion and interaction with the audience, Cruz revealed the human element of what it means to be undocumented in this country.
“It feels like everyone is against you,” he confessed.
Many of the students in attendance were very happy to participate in this convention and share their struggle with an entire community.
“I feel fortunate. Many people don’t have this opportunity,” said Eliana Flores, a 22-year-old U.C. Berkeley student, as she spoke to her experience at the school. “I would have never been able to do it alone, my family and community organized fundraisers—dances and dinners.”
This event aimed to create a space of inspiration for youth who find themselves in the thick of the struggle, with hopes of fulfilling their dreams of receiving a higher education.
“In the end, it doesn’t matter what ends up happening today. There will always be a community. You are not isolated,” said Ruben Canedo, co-founder of the Undocumented Students Program.
—Translation Gabriela Sierra Alonso