Organizing Undocumented Students

We organize New York City’s undocumented youth through our Dream Team Network, a network of undocumented-led advocacy clubs that we helped form in over 20 schools and colleges. In 2021, we held bi-weekly meetings for our Dream Team Network members to identify the issues they were facing and collaborate on solutions.

Community Education

Through our Undocu Adulting 101 workshop series, we collaborated with undocumented adults and professionals to discuss how to find employment without working papers, how to manage finances as an undocumented person, and other life skills.

Meanwhile, through social media, webinars, and videos, we informed our broader membership base about issues affecting them and how to take action. We discussed:

• legislative updates

• how bills become laws

• the NYC Mayor’s role in education

• issues facing Black immigrants

• the history of undocumented queer activism

• issues facing NYC’s unhoused immigrants

• vaccine access, and more. 

Building Community

We built community through the social events we held throughout the year, from movie nights to game nights to in-person meetups. Our meetups culminated in the formation of an Organizing Team of undocu youth seeking to organize locally for immigrants’ rights beyond education access. In September, we brought 25 directly-impacted youth to Washington DC to march for pathways to citizenship for all.

Youth Empowerment Program

We developed the political analysis and leadership of directly-impacted high school youth through our Youth Empowerment Program (YEP). We facilitated 20 hours of workshops on movement-building, racial justice, reproductive justice, LGBTQ+ rights, disability justice, solidarity with Black immigrants, and more. We explored history through trips to the Museum of Immigration and the Museum of the American Indian.

Undocu Academy

Through our ‘20-’21 Undocu Academy we supported 13 undocumented high school students—6 juniors and 7 seniors—with setting goals and preparing for life after graduation. We facilitated 4 hours of workshops per week for the students, and we recruited and trained undocumented professionals to mentor the seniors. 100% of our seniors attained fully-funded admissions to college or paid apprenticeships. In the fall, we launched our ‘21-’22 Undocu Academy and expanded it to 23 students.

Immigrant Liaison Pilot Program

An immigrant liaison is a part-time (or possibly full-time, if needed) position in a school created to offer support for immigrant, and especially undocumented, students and their families and caregivers. The NYSYLC is asking the New York City Department of Education to create an immigrant liaison position in every New York City public school.

We spent the 2020-2021 school year developing the immigrant liaison position and, in the spring of 2021, implementing a pilot program with immigrant liaisons in three New York City public high schools.Immigrant Liaisons meet monthly and are supported by two youth fellows, who are high school youth who have direct experiences with immigration and navigating spaces as undocumented youth as well as immigration advocacy work. The youth fellows give the immigrant liaisons feedback on their work and help find resources.

Undocu Grad School Guide

We released the “Undocu Grad School Guide,” a guide on pursuing, financing, and navigating graduate school while undocumented.

Allyship Training for Educators

Teach Dream, our educator team, led a 4-part workshop series aimed at educators who want to better support immigrant students. Topics included:

• Allyship and Accompliceship

• School-to-Deportation Pipeline, and Policies that Impact Immigrant Students

• Current Campaigns and Projects: Immigrant Liaison Campaign, Dream Team Network

• Personal Goals and Moving Forward

Grants and Scholarships for Undocumented Youth

In 2021, we distributed…

$15,830

in scholarships

$11,945

in COVID Relief Grants, and

$11,000

in entrepreneurship grants.

Supporting Young Undocumented Business Owners

In 2021, our new Undocu-Hustle Grant program provided grants of $1,000 each to help 11 young people start or grow their businesses. We created an application and assembled a grant review committee of youth and young professionals of undocumented experience.

Application Assistance

We hosted free information sessions and assisted individuals with applying for the NYS Dream Act, DACA, and the Excluded Workers Fund.

Undocu Youth Media

Throughout the year we produced livestreams and videos for undocu youth to share their stories. In our “Undocu Owned” video series, we interviewed 7 young undocumented artists and entrepreneurs who launched small creative businesses. In “Stories of Love Beyond Status and Gender” and “Cozy in the Closet,” we held discussions between queer and trans undocumented youth on love, coming out, and safety.

Amalgamated Foundation

Cricket Island Foundation

Emergent Fund

Fidelity Charitable

Hazen Foundation

Jessie Smith Noyes Foundation

JPB Foundation

Lucius N. Littauer Foundation

New York Foundation

New York Women's Foundation

North Star Fund

New York Foundation

Open Horizon

Pinkerton Foundation

San Francisco Foundation

The New World Foundation

The Prospect Hill Foundation

Tikkun Olam Foundation

Vanguard Charitable

Outten & Golden LLP