Clementina Macias and Guillermo Metelin Bock want to use the upcoming sixth annual Undocu-Success Conference on Saturday, April 13, as an opportunity to bring attention to the relatively new CSU Undocu-Ally training program. 

Macias says the training program is a way for faculty and staff to connect students with resources they may need by creating awareness of current laws and legislation affecting undocumented students. The training, according to the Undocu-Success Center website, is meant to “build a campus culture that acknowledges, integrates and accepts students from diverse backgrounds.”

One of the resources Macias particularly wants people to know about is Immigrant Legal Defense, an organization that provides legal assistance to immigrant students and their families. A partnership with the organization has been in effect at all CSU campuses since 2019. 

Macias said Immigrant Legal Defense helps students with everything from DACA filings and renewals to representing parents and family members in court. All of it is free of charge. 

“You’re able to talk to a lawyer about any type of immigration issue,” Macias said. “We have students who have a path to citizenship, and who have attorneys working on their cases. Prior to this, students had to go off campus to get any immigration-related services such as renewing DACA.”

The organization’s website says it is devoted to getting people the help to which they are entitled. 

“In an immigration system designed to limit access, we routinely encounter unjust policies and rulings: barriers to due process,” the website says. “And each day, we meet people who have been systematically deprived of access to full-scope representation and for whom immigration relief has remained persistently out of reach. All of our work arises directly from this witness.”

Metelin Bock, coordinator for the Undocu-Success Center, said the services are available to all CSUMB students, staff and faculty regardless of immigration status. 

“Even after graduation, for two years they can use the resource,” he said. “Incoming students can also utilize it.”

Immigrant Legal Defense is just one resource people can learn about through the Undocu-Ally training. The immediate goal is to get 150 people to take the course. Metelin Bock said he is hoping 100 percent of CSUMB employees will eventually be trained.

In the meantime, he’s hoping people will attend the upcoming conference. The event is aimed at fostering support, advocacy and professional development for the undocumented student community. The conference is free and open to students, staff, faculty and community members who are passionate about creating a more inclusive and supportive environment.

The April 13 conference will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Room 306 of the Otter Student Union. More information is available at the Undocu-Success Conference webpage.