Affirming Our Commitment to Our Undocumented Community and a Critical Campus Resource—the AB540 and Undocumented Student Center

April 12, 2021–UC Davis recognizes the many contributions and experiences of undocumented students and families. Our support for undocumented undergraduate and graduate students, staff, faculty and community members is unequivocal and longstanding.

With the transition to a new United States presidential administration and proposed immigration reforms, UC Davis has received inquiries and concerns regarding the advocacy and support resources that will be available to the undocumented community long term.

As recently affirmed by Chancellor May, “Here at UC Davis, we have a dedicated community of undocumented and DACA recipient students from across the globe. These students—many of whom are the first in their families to attend college—contribute to our rich diversity of cultures and perspectives that is integral to our success as a global university,” ... “There’s more work to do, but I’m optimistic about this important step. I thank those members of our community — faculty, students, staff and alumni — who have continued to speak up for justice for our undocumented students.”

Through the Undocumented Student Initiative launched in 2013, the University of California Office of the President provides funding to eight of the UC campuses, including UC Davis, to address undocumented students’ unique needs through a range of support services, including academic and personal counseling, financial aid and legal advising. While we anticipate that this initiative will continue for some time, UC Davis supports this important work through our own AB540 and Undocumented Student Center with student internship stipends, emergency grants, Center programming and collaborations with student organizations. Current funding for the AB540 and Undocumented Student Center career staff and graduate student researcher and the UC Immigrant Legal Services Center legal fellow will continue to be provided by UC Davis.

As the first physical center of its kind across the country, we are proud of the AB540 and Undocumented Student Center’s efforts to include all undocumented voices, perspectives and experiences on our campus. Our campus also is host to the UC Immigrant Legal Services Center (UCIMM), which provides free immigration legal support to all currently enrolled UC undegraduate, graduate and post-baccalaureate students and their immediate family members, as well as students with undocumented family members.

While there is no way to know if the proposed immigration changes will go into effect, our dedication to our undocumented community is unwavering, and we are prepared to be responsive in overcoming barriers to student success. If you are a currently enrolled student and need support, please reach out to the AB540 and Undocumented Student Center which serves the UC Davis undocumented community with financial resources, holistic advising, connections to immigrant-focused mental health professionals and much more.

In partnership,

Dr. Pablo G. Reguerín
Vice Chancellor
Student Affairs

Dr. Renetta Garrison Tull
Vice Chancellor
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion