‘In Solidarity with Immigrants’

Paulina Longoria | THE RIDER

With the uncertainty of the future of DACA, the recipients of the program can turn to the DREAM Resource Center at UTRGV for support services and resources.

Aaron Hinojosa, the center’s program coordinator, started a podcast series called “Community Connections” to explore diversity and identity on campus. On June 12, Hinojosa hosted a live episode called “In Solidarity with Immigrants” with Abraham Diaz, a UTRGV alum and an education specialist with La Unión del Pueblo Entero (LUPE).

“I asked him a few questions and we talked about … being undocumented or being an immigrant in the [Rio Grande] Valley … and what were the outcomes that could have resulted from the Supreme Court’s decision and how it could have affected just our students,” Hinojosa said.

During the nearly two-hour episode, Diaz shared his experience as a DACA recipient and the hardships he endured while growing up undocumented.

“I was also … undocumented throughout pretty much my entire life up until 2012, when the DACA program was announced,“ he said in the episode. “A year later in 2013, I was able to … apply for the program.”

Diaz also meticulously broke down what is happening to DACA. He said he describes the situation as complicated and that it could result in multiple scenarios.

“The Supreme Court can say the president does have the power to end the program, but he must give a reason,” Diaz said in the episode. 

He also said there are many decisions the Supreme Court can make to save DACA.

In a phone interview with The Rider, Hinojosa said the university supports students trying to pursue a higher education.

Asked about his thoughts on the current situation with DACA, Hinojosa replied, “The DREAM Resource Center is one of the avenues that students can find support. … DACA makes higher education more possible; it provides them with a working Social Security [number]. Not only are they able to work on campus … they can also work off campus.

“So, they are able to navigate these spaces in a more safe manner. It’s not a pathway to citizenship, but it’s a temporary solution for students that are just trying to pursue their dreams and then further their lives and future. I think about that whenever these resolutions come forward, but I also worry just because there is the fear that DACA might go away completely.”

The center provides a DREAM Advocates contact list with UTRGV faculty, staff and students who are ready to help anyone who may identify as undocumented or DACAmented. The members completed training to be able to assist recipients.

To access the podcast series, visit here. To access the list, visit here.