Santa Ana, Calif. – Santa Ana College (SAC) is joining community colleges across the state for Undocumented Student Action Week, October 14-18, 2019, to advocate and provide support services for our undocumented students. Since President Trump’s 2017 announcement to rescind the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, the status and safety of undocumented students on our campus has been uncertain. Lack of action by Congress on DACA and American Dream and Promise Act (H.R.6) and recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and detentions have only exacerbated the problem, causing fear among our undocumented student population.
As the nation’s largest post-secondary education system and serving the largest number of undocumented students within the state, California Community Colleges are committed to serving all students, regardless of immigration status. When undocumented young people are able to pursue education and careers, they can create brighter futures for themselves, their families, and their communities.
“We believe in supporting our students, their family members and the Santa Ana community,” said Dr. Linda Rose, president, SAC. “Approximately 55 percent of our students identify as Hispanic – some of whom are undocumented – and we embrace the opportunity to help those students realize their full potential.”
This year’s action week serves as an opportunity to highlight the challenges our undocumented students face in today’s current climate, while also advocating for Congress to take immediate legislative action on important federal policies and providing resources to better assist undocumented students on our campus. Undocumented Student Action Week is supported statewide by California Community Colleges, the Foundation for California Community Colleges, the Community College League of California, the Student Senate for California Community Colleges, and Immigrants Rising.
Below is a schedule of events that will be held Oct. 14-18 at Santa Ana College.
Monday, October 14
12:00 – 1:00 p.m.
Halmoni Movie Screening
Room A-130
Lunch and Pledge of Support
1:00 -2:00 pm
Amphitheater
Tuesday, October 15
12:00 – 1:30 pm
Art without Borders
Lunch and Pledge of Support
Amphitheater
Wednesday, October 16
10:20 am – 11:30 am
Immigration Film Screening/Q&A with Director Lidieth Arevalo
Room R-124
1:00 pm to 3:00 pm
Wellness Workshop by Psychological Services
Room D-205
6:00 – 8:00 pm
Know Your Rights Workshop by World Relief
Room I-104
Thursday, October 17
10:00 am – 12:00 pm
Entrepreneurship Workshop with Bo Thai (Artist/UndocuHustler)
Room L-222 (Career Center)
3:45 – 5:00 pm
Coming Out of the Shadows
Amphitheater
Friday, October 18
9:00 am – 1:00 pm
Undocumented Student Ally Training
Room I-103
Undocumented students, allies, faculty, staff, and community members are welcome to join us at each of our events. For more information about the SAC Undocu-Scholars Program, go to: https://www.sac.edu/StudentServices/Counseling/UndocuScholars/Pages/default.aspx.
About Santa Ana College
Santa Ana College (SAC), which turned 100 years old in 2015, serves about 27,000 students each semester at its main campus in Santa Ana. The college prepares students for transfer to four-year institutions and provides invaluable workforce training and customized training for business and industry. In addition, another 11,000 students are served through the college’s School of Continuing Education located at Centennial Education Center. Ranked as one of the nation’s top two-year colleges awarding associate degrees to Latino and Asian students, the college is also recognized throughout the state for its comprehensive workforce training programs for nurses, firefighters, law enforcement and other medical personnel. SAC is one of two comprehensive colleges under the auspices of the Rancho Santiago Community College District.
