Felipe Martinez
Educator, Partner
"Some of the most important work of my life is showing young people what can be done and what's inside them."
Policy Advocacy
We advocate for public policies that create, expand, protect, and remove barriers to opportunities for undocumented individuals to access higher education, advance their careers, and achieve economic mobility for themselves and their families.
Our California Policy Advocacy Goals
Access to College and Career
All Californians deserve access to quality, affordable higher education opportunities. We champion policies that ensure undocumented students enroll, persist and graduate from college. Through our advocacy efforts, we lower the cost of college, eliminate equity gaps, and improve post-graduation outcomes for undocumented students. Immigrants Rising collaborates with coalitions of advocates, colleges and universities, and community-based organizations to advance policies that foster educational opportunities for all Californians.
Economic Mobility
All Californians should have the opportunity to achieve economic mobility on their own terms. Through our advocacy efforts, we remove barriers and create opportunities for undocumented immigrants to access higher-paying jobs, create and grow businesses, and achieve economic security. Immigrants Rising collaborates with coalitions of advocates, economic justice and community development organizations to advance policies that foster a more equitable economy in California.
Our National Policy Advocacy Goals
Protect DACA
The prolonged legal battle to end Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) has left hundreds of thousands of individuals and their families in uncertainty. We fight to protect DACA and DACA-eligible recipients, ensuring they can live, work, and contribute to this nation without fear of deportation.
Current Policy Priorities
California | Access to College & Career
AB 540 Defense & Equitable Implementation
Defend and increase alignment in the implementation of AB 540, California’s in-state tuition law, across all public California higher education institutions and individual campuses.
- AB 540 Quick Guide
- Lead Organization: Immigrants Rising
- Status: Systemwide AB 540 FAQ was updated in April 2025 with new timelines and processes in agreement with all three California public higher education systems (CCCs, CSUs, UCs).
- Domain: California public higher education systems
- How to Get Involved: Sign up for engagement opportunities that support and uplift AB 540.
- Point of Contact: Daniela Rodriguez at [email protected]
Opportunity for All
Expand paid training and research opportunities for undocumented undergraduate and graduate students at public college and university campuses.
- Bill: AB 713
- Author: Assemblymember Jose Luis Solache
- Lead Organization: Immigrant Justice in Action Coalition, UCLA Labor Center/Dream Resource Center, Center for Immigration Law and Policy (CILP), University of California Student Association, CA Federation of Teachers, UAW 4811, California Immigrant Policy Center, and Immigrants Rising
- Status: In October 2025, the California Supreme Court ruled in Umaña Muñoz et al. v. Regents of the University of California that the UC’s policy of barring undocumented immigrants from accessing on-campus jobs and paid research positions is discriminatory and violates state law. Read Immigrants Rising’s statement here. AB 713 is currently in the state Senate.
- Campaign Position: Co-Sponsor
- Domain: California public higher education systems
- How to Get Involved: Visit IJAC’s page for opportunities.
- Point of Contact: Daniela Rodriguez at [email protected]
Master Plan for Career Education Equitable Implementation
Ensure that the California Master Plan for Career Education’s implementation is inclusive of all students and learners, regardless of their immigration status.
- Status: The legislation establishing the California Education Interagency Council (CEIC) officially took effect on January 1, 2026. An Executive Director for this new Council is expected to be announced in 2026.
- Domain: California
- Point of Contact: Daniela Rodriguez at [email protected]
California | Economic Mobility
State Budget Request for SEED 4.0
Reinvest in and expand the SEED Initiative that supports individuals with limited English proficiency and immigrant social entrepreneurs in launching businesses that address social challenges or community needs.
- SEED One-Pager
- Lead Organizations: Economic Mobility for All (EM4A) Coalition, Immigrants Rising, California Immigrant Policy Center, Inclusive Action for the City, and Democracy at Work Institute
- Status: Pending
- Campaign Position: Co-Sponsor
- Domain: California
- Point of Contact: Denea Joseph at [email protected]
- How to Get Involved: Join the Economic Mobility for All Coalition or sign up to advocate for SEED and share your story or testimony.
National | DACA Protection
DACA Protection, with Home Is Here Coalition
The DACA program remains under constant attack, threatening the futures of immigrant youth and their families. DACA recipients are our nurses, teachers, coworkers, and friends — their home is here.
- Latest DACA Updates
- Lead Organizations: Home Is Here Coalition
- Status: Pending
- Campaign Position: Steering Committee Member
- Domain: National
- Point of Contact: Iliana Perez at [email protected]
For a full list of Immigrants Rising’s policy engagement efforts, click here.
For questions about Immigrants Rising’s policy advocacy efforts, contact Daniela Rodriguez, Policy Advocacy Senior Manager, at [email protected].
Coalition Work
Immigrants Rising amplifies its impact by working alongside state and national coalitions, building collective power to influence policymakers and drive meaningful change.