As concerns about mass deportations and immigration arrests abound, undocumented students on college campuses are actively looking for resources to help them navigate these challenges.
With approximately 100,000 undocumented students enrolled in higher education across California, the Pierce College Dream Resource Center (DRC) serves as a resource for undocumented students on campus, providing support as they navigate the challenges of higher education.
The center assists students with enrollment, scholarships and access to free legal services through the Central American Resource Center (CARECEN) College Legal, which offers free consultations every Monday.
Beyond academics, the DRC also creates a safe and welcoming space where students, like business administration major Fabio Arambula, can seek guidance without fear.
“It’s like our second home, and they always make us feel welcomed here,” Arambula said. “It makes me happy to know there’s a place where I can find resources that will help me and make me feel safe.”
The Dream Resource Center isn’t just about academic support, but fostering a tight-knit community where undocumented students can connect. The organization hosts events like friendship bracelet-making, and last year, they organized a toy drive and holiday gift-wrapping event.
“We’re a big community, we have computers, and resources, and you become safe in this group with a ton of friends,” said Vice President of the UndocuBrahmas Club Xiomara Martinez.
However, many undocumented students remain on edge due to changing immigration policies and increased Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity. Since President Donald Trump’s inauguration, threats of mass deportations and arrests have raised questions about enforcement actions on college campuses.
While schools are generally considered “sensitive locations” where ICE enforcement is restricted, those protections are not guaranteed. With federal restrictions lifted on certain arrests, many fear that ICE could enter schools, leaving campuses unsure of how to respond.
To address these concerns, faculty and staff met on Feb. 25, to discuss how the college should handle the potential for immigration enforcement on campus. Officials emphasized that student information should never be shared with outside parties unless required by law. They also clarified that any ICE-related matters must be directed to the college president, ensuring that no individual faculty or staff member feels pressured to make decisions on their own.
DRC Lead D’arcy Corwin highlighted the importance of staying informed about government policies that impact the community.
“We’re serving our campus community first, and we could all be questioned. So we have to be prepared for ways in which we can answer those questions appropriately,” Corwin said. “And how we can route those agents to the correct place so that we’re not putting ourselves or our students in harm’s way.”
Despite the uncertainty, Corwin encourages students to turn to the Dream Resource Center for support.
“We hope students visit and connect with us so that they can feel seen and valued, and we’ll do our best to advocate for them,” Corwin said. “I know it’s a difficult time right now, but we don’t want them to feel like they’re walking alone in the process.”