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.
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.
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.
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.
This year, Immigrants Rising is working to advance policies that ensure undocumented students have access to college and career opportunities. By advocating for increased career opportunities and funding and ensuring the accurate implementation of tuition laws, we aim to break down the barriers that prevent undocumented students from pursuing higher education.
Expand paid training and research opportunities for undocumented undergraduate and graduate students at the University of California.
Increase alignment in the implementation of AB 540, California’s in-state tuition law, across all public California higher education institutions and individual campuses.
This year, Immigrants Rising is working to advance policies that ensure undocumented professionals and entrepreneurs have access to tools and resources for their economic stability and upward mobility. By advocating for small business funding and professional licenses, we seek to create opportunities for these professionals to support their families and communities and build a thriving California.
Reinvest in and expand the SEED Initiative that supports individuals with limited English proficiency and immigrant social entrepreneurs with launching businesses that address social challenges or community needs.
Require licensing boards under the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) and the Department of Public Health (DPH) to allow individuals with limited English proficiency the option to utilize an interpreter for a state written examination for a professional license.
Ensure that undocumented business owners, including DACA Entrepreneurs, can register their businesses with the state as Certified Small Businesses.
This year, we are continuing to protect DACA in the courts and create public pressure on Congress to protect DACA recipients and immigrant youth.
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.
For a full list of Immigrants Rising 2025 policy engagement efforts, click here.
Immigrants Rising amplifies its impact by working alongside state and national coalitions, building collective power to influence policymakers and drive meaningful change.
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Creative Writing Class, Educator, Leadership Council, Staff
"I wanted to get a second opinion because I hoped the first attorney had overlooked something. Or maybe things had changed. I'm so happy that I did get a second opinion because I learned that I had a potential remedy through political asylum."