All three SMCCCD campuses will host a series of Undocumented Student Action Week events to support undocumented students, including Dreamers, from Oct 17 to Oct 21.

These events have been planned for some time; however, with the recent lower court decision by U.S. District Judge Andrew Hanen, ruling that DACA is “unlawful” and effectively blocking the Department of Homeland Security from “granting DACA status for any new applicants,” many students may find these events even more helpful.

While the ruling would maintain the status quo for current program members, immigration rights activists, as well as the President, have seen the order as antagonistic towards undocumented immigrants and Dreamers.

“I am disappointed in today’s Fifth Circuit decision holding that DACA is unlawful. The court’s stay provides a temporary reprieve for DACA recipients, but one thing remains clear: the lives of Dreamers remain in limbo,” President Joe Biden said in a statement on Oct 5.

California has been at the forefront of supporting DACA students. In September, Governor Gavin Newsom signed a bill that would allow undocumented immigrants to receive state IDs, as well as AB 1232, to expand ESL and access to in-state tuition for immigrants.

Special events highlighting undocumented students’ struggles and services will occur throughout the week.

“[These events] will be an opportunity for our students to get to know the Undocu-allies, the Undocu-advocates at Skyline College. All of the advocates who are doing the work behind the scenes, who are assisting our students who need legal support, students who need scholarship opportunities, employment opportunities”, said Martin Marquez, program services coordinator at Dream Center.

On Tuesday, Oct 18, the ASSC will host two film screenings, “#PardonMaria” and “Nowhere But Here,” around the issue of immigration justice by Cambodian American filmmaker Brandon Soun, who will be on hand for a discussion afterward. These screenings will be shown from 11- 12 pm at Skyline College: Building 6, Rooms 204-206.

At noon,  there will be an in-person mixer at Skyline College on Tuesday from 12 pm to 1 pm in building 6, where students can meet advocates. Furthermore, local legal services (Immigration Institute of the Bay Area) will be on hand during this time to assist students with any questions regarding their rights.

Tuesday’s events will wrap up with a student-led discussion entitled: Together We Are, Together We Can, which begins at 1:30 pm, where students can share their own stories on an open platform.

Other events will include show screenings, Know Your Rights webinars, guest speakers, and workshops.

The Netflix Original series “Mo” will be screened at the College of San Mateo (Building 2 Room 10) at 6:10 pm on Thursday. (A review of this show can be found here.)

During the 2020-21 academic year, SMCCCD schools had 669 AB540, or DACA students, enrolled at their campuses.

A complete listing of events can be found here.