Report: Higher Education and Success for Undocumented Students Start with 9 Key Criteria

Report: Higher Education and Success for Undocumented Students Start with 9 Key Criteria A higher education is the key to social mobility and economic security in the U.S. However, many undocumented students and graduates face the dual barrier of ineligibility for college supports in addition to lack of employment opportunities due to their undocumented status. […]

The Economic Benefits of the Empire State Licensing Act

Immigrants in New York State’s Workforce The American Immigration Council published a new report, Economic Benefits of the Empire State Licensing: Immigrants in New York State’s Workforce, in May 2022 highlighting the critical role that immigrants and refugees play in New York’s workforce and the need to reduce barriers to professional and occupational licenses. New […]

Student Narrative: Dayann Pazmino

Dayann Pazmino State: New York TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF AND WHAT YOU DO. “As an immigrant rights activist, I gather and share information with my community to help educate them about the current state of DACA, so they know what their options are. I am also studying herbalism and how plants can be used to […]

Student Narrative: Marian Cifuentes

Marian Cifuentes State: New York TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF AND WHAT YOU DO. “I am a bookkeeper at an auto mechanic shop in Scarsdale, NY where I am responsible for accounting for the expenses and revenue.” TELL US WHY YOUR WORK MATTERS… “My job allows me to help a local business succeed and helps our […]

Student Narrative: Gaitree Boojraj

Gaitree Boojraj State: New York TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF AND WHAT YOU DO. “I worked In the OB-GYN department at a medical practice in New York City. As a medical practice associate, I facilitated patients’ appointments – preparing them for visits and checking them out after the appointment to ensure they are well – informed. […]

Student Narrative: Francisco Barros Mesias

Francisco Barros Mesias State: New York TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF AND WHAT YOU DO. “I am an Electrical Engineering graduate from CCNY and the first in my family to have received a bachelor’s degree. Previously, I was an Electrical Engineer Aide at the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, where I worked on contract drawings, project […]

Student Narrative: Areli Morales Romero

Areli Morales Romero State: New York TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF AND WHAT YOU DO. “I work as a substitute teacher for New York City public schools and I’m a children’s book author. Areli is a Dreamer (Pub: June 2021) is my debut children’s book. The picture book tells the story of my journey from my beautiful home […]

Student Narrative: Apolinar Islas

Apolinar Islas State: New York TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF AND WHAT YOU DO. “I migrated from Mexico in search of a better life for my widowed mother and siblings, postponing my education dreams for 16 years while working as a dishwasher and chef in Manhattan. Now, thanks to DACA and TheDream.US National Scholarship, I am […]

Student Narrative: “Sarah”

“Sarah” State: New York TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF AND WHAT YOU DO. “I work with a Huntington’s Disease C. elegans model to study how protein aggregates found in their mechanosensory neurons change as a function of time.” TELL US WHY YOUR WORK MATTERS… “STEM research is a typically white male-dominated field, and it is important […]

Student Narrative: “Joon”

“Joon” State: New York TELL US ABOUT YOURSELF AND WHAT YOU DO. “As a DREAMer, I am helping my community beyond what I imagined. At my job in a private ambulatory surgery practice, we deal with patients who need procedures and surgeries done away from the hospital. Many of these patients are very sick and […]