Relationship: Program Participant

Updated September 18, 2025: Starting Fall 2025, Immigrants Rising will offer programming for pre-law students through the Career Activity Groups. We will no longer be offering the Pre-Law Program (which includes Pre-Law 101 Webinar, Pre-Law Bootcamp, and Pre-Law Fund). If you are an undocumented pre-law student or are interested in a career in law, please check out the Career Activity Groups’ law cohort.

“I realized that I am not alone on this journey. So many other undocumented folks also want to become lawyers.” — Stephanie Medina, Pre-Law Fund Grantee

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Get info relevant to undocumented students

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Become part of our growing network
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Be in community while you apply to law school(s)

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Become eligible for the Pre-Law Fund

Immigrants Rising’s Pre-Law Program is for current undergraduate students and those with a bachelor’s degree, who are interested in applying to law school. Whether you’ve just started exploring the possibility of law school or are ready to apply in the upcoming academic year, we’re confident that we’ll have something for you!

Click here to access the following program.

Pre-Law 101 Webinar

Are you curious about law school but not yet sure if it’s for you? Attend this webinar to get a glimpse of the law school admissions process and what pursuing a legal career entails—through the lens of an undocumented person!
Click here to access the following program.

Pre-Law Bootcamp

If you know you want to pursue a legal career, but are unsure about the steps you need to take and/or when you want to apply to law schools—this program is for you! Our four-day Pre-Law Bootcamp is designed to provide undocumented young people interested in applying to law school with extra support navigating the process and a community of other pre-law students and legal professionals. Learn more.
Click here to access the following program.

Pre-Law Fund

Pre-Law Bootcamp participants can receive financial support to apply to law schools in the upcoming academic year! Through our Pre-Law Fund, we offer $2,500 grants to low-income immigrants to cover the cost of LSAT preparations and law school applications. Learn more.
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Pre-Law Program Alumni Network

By participating in our Pre-Law Program, you will be part of a growing alumni network of undocumented pre-law students, law school students, and legal professionals!

Immigrants Rising’s Facilitated Activity Groups offer undocumented young people tangible skills, knowledge, and accountability to pursue personal, educational, and professional goals.

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Facilitated Activity Groups provide a space for undocumented high school and college students to explore a topic while building relationships with one another. All activity groups will be guided by a skilled facilitator who is intimately familiar with the undocumented experience.

Activity Groups will meet for 6 consecutive weeks in a virtual setting. Explore the topics we’re offering this year below.

#ICanAffordCollege: Financing a College Education as an Undocumented Student

What will I learn from this activity group?

Everyone deserves an education that is enjoyable, fulfilling, and free from constraints! Unfortunately, undocumented students face additional barriers to pursuing their educational goals and enjoying their educational journeys due to the added stress that comes with limited access to financial and campus resources. This activity group will introduce you to strategies, resources, tips, and key actionable steps you can take to finance your college education and advocate for more and better campus resources. By the end of this activity group, you will implement a plan to increase your funding to help you alleviate some of the financial barriers to pursuing your educational goals.

You will receive a Certificate of Completion after attending at least five sessions.

Who can participate in this activity group?

This activity group is for undocumented high school and college students in the U.S.

When is this activity group offered?

This activity group is offered three times between Fall 2022 and Spring 2023.

  • Fall Session: Tuesdays, 4 – 5:15 p.m. PT (starting 10/11/2022, ending 11/15/2022)
  • Winter Session: Tuesdays, 4 – 5:15 p.m. PT (starting 1/24/23, ending 2/28/23)
  • Spring Session: Tuesdays, 4 – 5:15 p.m. PT (starting 4/18/23, ending 5/23/23)
Who is the facilitator?

Watch the video below and read Cris Mercado’s bio here.

We are currently not offering new Activity Group sessions.

Immigrants Rising’s Educational Transitions Coaching provides undocumented students mentorship and guidance to successfully transition to their next stage in life.

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Immigrants Rising Coaches are experts in working directly with undocumented students. Our coaches will work with you to achieve the goals that you identify between January and May 2022. Coaches support you through active listening, asking questions, and being fully invested in your success. They provide a safe space for you to envision and plan your next steps. Our coaches are part of a network of other undocumented folks and will be able to connect you to a supportive community as well.

Who is this for?

Educational Transitions Coaching is for students who:

  • Attend or are affiliated with one of our Catalyst Fund Campuses
  • Are foreign-born
  • Do not have permanent residency (green card) or citizenship in the U.S.
  • Are available to receive coaching for a span of up to 4 months
What can I expect from coaching?

You will meet with your coach in a 1-1 video zoom call once a week to discuss your situation and empower your actions.

Your coach can support you with:

  • Setting academic goals and academic support
  • Career/post-graduation income generation
  • Guidance on what actions will most impact your goals
  • Legal, academic, and mental health resources
  • Navigating family dynamics
When does coaching begin?

We are not currently accepting any new coaching participants.

Click here for answers to more Commonly Asked Questions.

California state laws and policies protect access to public higher education for students who are undocumented—including students without DACA, TPS, or other forms of temporary status. Whether you are just beginning to explore your options after completing high school or your GED, currently enrolled in a California college or university, or newly seeing higher education as a possibility, our resources are here to support your academic journey.

Understand In-State Tuition/AB 540

Being AB 540-eligible is often the first step in accessing in-state tuition rates, state-based financial aid, and some private scholarships for undocumented students. Learn about what AB 540 is and how you can meet the requirements or take steps to build eligibility if you’re not yet qualified.

Get Financial Aid

Understand the process, timeline, and steps to apply to the CA Dream Act Application (CADAA), the state financial aid application for undocumented students. Financial aid has three general areas available for eligible undocumented students: grants, scholarships, and loans. You don’t have to pay back grants and scholarships, but you do have to pay back loans. Remember, you have the agency to seek support and choose what you accept as part of your school’s financial aid package.

Find Additional Support

Get resources to support you in all parts of your educational journey. Access additional materials on CA in-state tuition, financial aid, and campus support. Find opportunities to tend to your mental health, kickstart your entrepreneurship journey, and support your career goals.

Find Immigration Legal Help

Learn about your immigration options by connecting with reliable legal support. Get tips and resources to find trustworthy providers across California. Understand the free legal resources available to you if you’re attending a CA Community College (CCC), CA State University (CSU), or University of California (UC) institution.

Know Your Rights

Understand your rights, including the policies that protect the information you share on your financial aid application (CADAA). Remember and review your constitutional rights when interacting with immigration agents or local police (on- and off- campus) authorities or participating in protests.

Stay Connected

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Get email updates about going to college in California and what’s new in the Immigrants Rising community.
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If you are an UndocuEducator or an ally, sign up for our UndocuDigest for Higher Education.
Tommy Statkiewicz

Legal Services Team, Program Participant, Staff

"It was such a long journey to get to where I was"

Tommy Statkiewicz

Legal Services Team, Program Participant, Staff

"I just remember the physical weight coming off of my shoulders"

Krsna Avila

Creative Writing Class, Leadership Council, Legal Services Team, Program Participant, Staff

"People can still succeed in their education and careers, despite all the negative policies around us."

Beleza Chan

Program Participant, Scholar

"Even more more valuable than the scholarship money was having the emotional support."

“The Mental Health Career Program has opened the doors to incredible people and an empowering community. It has given me hope that I can get through this journey of career licensing.” — Julio Cesar Zamarripa, Mental Health Career Program Participant

Immigrants Rising’s Mental Health Career Program provides undocumented professionals in California with the career-specific hands-on training, professional development, and mentoring they need to launch their careers in the mental health field. Program participants will receive supervision, training, and mentorship from licensed therapists while gaining hours towards their licensure in California by providing pro-bono mental health services to undocumented individuals.

Program Benefits

  • Direct career experience
  • Supervised clinical hours accumulation
  • One-on-one mentorship and supervision from a licensed therapist
  • Professional and leadership development training
  • Connection to Immigrants Rising’s network of professionals
  • Stipend to support participation in the program

General Requirements

  • Have direct knowledge of and personal connection to the undocumented experience (DACA is not required to apply)
  • Have completed a master’s degree in social work, counseling, marriage and family therapy, or related mental health field
  • Have an unexpired Associate Clinical Social Worker (ASW), Associate Marriage & Family Therapist (AMFT), or Associate Professional Clinical Counselor (APCC) registration given by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS)
  • Provide proof of malpractice insurance at the start of the program
  • Demonstrate commitment to providing mental health services to the undocumented community
  • Commit to approximately 15 hours/week (first-year participants) or 20 hours/week (second-year participants) during the program

Read the Program Description & FAQ

Watch the recording of our Informational Webinar from Wednesday, June 4, 2025.

Application deadline has been extended! All application materials are now due Friday, July 11, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. PT.

Apply to the Mental Health Career Program

We develop the leadership capacity of undocumented young people through career training, mentorship, professional development, and opportunities to educate and empower the undocumented community.