An Open Letter to Undocumented Students, Families, and Allies on the Day After the Elections

It is difficult to come up with the right words to say on such a heavy day. The days and weeks leading up to any U.S. presidential election cycle are on their own marked by acute feelings of anxiety and fear as the topic of immigration comes front and center. For undocumented students and their families, in particular, the results may come with a heightened sense of vulnerability and frustration. There are real concerns about the future of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) which has been in limbo since 2017. There are growing fears about the intensification and expansion of immigration enforcement that could permeate every facet of daily life. There are worries and fears about loved ones’ safety and well-being. There is the incessant need to constantly prepare for the worst-case scenario, both mentally and materially. And there is the emotional toll that comes with navigating everyday life while undocumented, which can feel particularly heavy at a time of growing anti-immigrant sentiment and heightened enforcement.

To Undocumented Students & Families, including those who identify as U.S. citizens whose parents or siblings are undocumented:

In the coming days, you may feel a rush of fear, anxiety, frustration, stress, and disillusionment. You may also feel a sense of determination and strength to do what is within your power to pursue your goals, protect each other, and keep going. You may be in a position where it feels like there is a lot of pressure: to pursue your goals, persist despite the barriers, and provide for, or protect your family, to ensure their well-being and safety. You may be in a state of shock and find yourself having trouble eating or getting out of bed. You may also struggle with resting or concentrating in the coming days. You may find yourself trying to stay distracted or overworking to keep any distressing thoughts at a distance.

These and all other emotions are valid. Through these times it is important to try your best to give yourself time to process these emotions, stay grounded, reach out to others for support, and hold on to your dreams tight. It is also important to note that how you cope can look different from how other people cope, and can fluctuate over time. Some find breathing or grounding exercises helpful, others lean into their support system to voice their worries and build community, some seek professional counseling or therapy services, others unplug from the news media cycle and social media and dedicate their time to de-stressing activities they enjoy like hiking or outings with friends, and the list goes on.

What is key is to prioritize your mental health and find healthy coping mechanisms that work for you. This might entail frequently checking-in with yourself to know how you are feeling and being honest with yourself about such emotions. And to reach out for support when in need. It is important to know that you do not have to go through these challenging times alone. There are support groups, fellow undocumented folks, and allies, ready to help. To name just a few of these networks, check out the work of UndocuProfessionals, Immigrants Rising, the New York State Youth Leadership Council (NYSYLC), Scholarships A-Z, Freedom University, Aliento AZ, amongst many others. If you are currently enrolled in school, you may also consider seeing if there is an undocumented student-led organization or undocumented services program (sometimes referred to as a “Dreamer Resource Office”) on campus.

To Allies, including educators, counselors, staff, campus leadership, social service providers, and others:

There are a lot of emotions to process and an uphill battle to grapple with in the months and years ahead. As individuals who are working directly with undocumented students and their families, including students who identify as U.S. citizens and whose parents are undocumented, you are in a unique position to support the immigrant community. The following are a set of practical steps you can take or encourage others to consider:

• If any of your webinars could benefit the broader immigrant community, consider making it accessible to non-students. At a time when there will be a high demand for resources such as “Know Your Rights” workshops, “UndocuAlly” trainings, mental health awareness discussions, immigration policy news updates, emergency preparedness tips and guidance, and so on, consider whether it is possible to make such offerings available to the broader community. There are many folks in undocumented and mixed-status families who do not have access to school-based resources and support, but who would benefit tremendously from the information. There are also students whose family members would benefit from the information. There are ways to do this with the use of technology, while ensuring safety, confidentiality, and access though it does require preparation and discussion.

• Create a page or guide for undocumented students and families that features institutional and local resources. You can compile a list of resources that are helpful and available for undocumented folks and their families in your local community. You might begin your search with trustworthy non-profit organizations or you may ask within your network for any leads. What is key is to identify resources that are reliable, trustworthy, open to undocumented folks and those in mixed-status families, and helpful.

• If any of your staff or colleagues identify as DACA recipients, check in with them and learn about how you can best support them. Staff who identify as DACA beneficiaries are not only contending with the stressors associated with carrying out their work responsibilities, and for those who work in the realm of undocumented student services they are doing their best to be there for students whose needs are growing, but they are also grappling with these stressors, difficulties, and uncertainties at a deeply personal level. There is the fear of what will happen to their students and themselves if DACA comes to an end, which is a very real possibility given today’s political climate, the election results, and ongoing limbo surrounding the program.

• Keep up to date with changes in immigration policy and enforcement, and undocumented students’ rights. While you do not have to possess all of the knowledge nor are you expected to become an expert, it is helpful to be familiar with some of the policies and practices that directly impact undocumented students, those in mixed-status households, and entire families. This awareness can help you navigate difficult conversations with students, point them in the right direction, and connect them to necessary resources.

• Create an emergency fund for undocumented students and those in mixed-status families. This is a time when some students or their family members may be in a position where they qualify for some type of immigration relief, however, students often face financial hardships when accessing legal services and paying the rising costs for applications such as DACA renewals, adjustment of status, etc. Others may be struggling with securing their basic needs around food, housing, transportation, and mental health, especially as fears grow over heightened enforcement at worksites, and with respect to public services. To ease the financial burden and stress that students may be under, it is helpful to establish an emergency fund that students who are in undocumented and mixed-status families can access in a timely manner.

• Expand access to resources and scholarship opportunities to undocumented students, or create alternative programs. Undocumented students encounter a unique set of challenges, including the inability to receive federal financial aid, as well as to legally work, travel, or drive. Although DACA and some state-level policies have expanded access to work, travel, and driving privileges, it is important to be mindful of the uncertain times we are in. There are also efforts underway to undermine these policies and create more restrictive climates. Under these circumstances, it is important to think creatively about expanding access to opportunities and support for undocumented students, including mental health support, assistance with grocery vouchers or emergency meal plans, legal services, paid internship and fellowship opportunities, and more.

For additional insights and recommendations, check out these previous posts:

“In Their Own Words: Reflections from Undocumented & Mixed-Status Students About the 2024 U.S. Presidential Elections” It is important to understand the experiences of undocumented students and their families, including students who come from mixed-status households where at least one member is undocumented. This post features students’ reflections around the elections and uncertainty surrounding DACA based on the UndocuBasic Needs project, which seeks to help address immigrant college students’ basic needs.

“Election Night Prep: Resources for Undocumented Students“. With the 2024 U.S. presidential election fast approaching, we wanted to share a set of affirmations and resources for undocumented students grappling with this highly uncertain and challenging period. This post is particularly focused on undocumented students’ mental health, including a set of helpful affirmation, information about identifying resources, and recommendations for school personnel who are interested in expanding their understanding of undocumented students’ mental health concerns.

“Supporting Undocumented Students During Uncertain Times” Undocumented students are presently contending with heightened levels of uncertainty in light of the upcoming 2024 U.S. presidential elections. This is in addition to grappling with the ongoing instability of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) federal program which has been in limbo since the Trump administration threatened to terminate the program in 2017. This post is geared towards offering a set of recommendations that educators, counselors, and administrators can adopt to better support undocumented students during these uncertain times.

“Important Pre-Election Reminders & Resources Surrounding DACA” Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) is a federal program that was first implemented in 2012 under the Obama administration. DACA provides eligible undocumented young adults with access to temporary relief from deportation and work authorization. With DACA, many undocumented young adults have been able to secure employment, pursue their higher education goals, obtain a driver’s license, and more. This post features a helpful overview of resources related to DACA, including information on the current status of DACA, advice around renewals, and finding support.

At My Undocumented Life, we are committed to continuing to share up-to-date information and resources for undocumented students, families, and allies. If your school or organization, could benefit from a workshop, webinar, research presentation, or an in-depth discussion about practical steps that can be taken within your particular context, we encourage you to reach out. Through these challenging times ahead, we are going to get through it together.

— Carolina, Founder of My Undocumented Life