Immigrants Rising September Newsletter

Hi John,

This year has remarkably tested and proven our community’s resiliency time and time again. With ongoing battles on the federal, state, and local levels, we have had to mobilize quickly and be as prepared as we can be to actively respond to our community members’ needs.

I am excited to share that starting October 1, Immigrants Rising will officially be an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization! After 18 years of impactful work under fiscal sponsorship with Community Initiatives, this spin-off will allow us to pursue unique opportunities and develop more innovative programs, building off of the wins that our team has accomplished over the years. With this change, we complete our leadership with a Board of Directors that intimately represents and understands the unique challenges of the undocumented community.

What Does This Mean For You?

This transition does not affect our current services and offerings. We are, however, excited to share with you soon our plans for the Immigrants Rising community. To support our programs and the work that we do, you can visit our NEW(!) donation platform here.

This shift is nothing but a testament to our community’s and our organization’s resiliency. As we prepare to fight for all immigrants in the U.S. in the upcoming DACA litigation and presidential elections and beyond, I am confident that this new chapter puts us in an even better position to uplift the rights and open up possibilities for undocumented people.

In community,

Iliana G. Perez, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Immigrants Rising

We applaud Governor Newsom For Signing AB 2543, A Critical Bill Supporting All California Entrepreneurs

Governor Newsom signed AB 2543 (Arambula) into law, a critical bill ensuring that all entrepreneurs have a fair opportunity to contribute to California’s prosperity. Once enacted, California entrepreneurs would have access to apply for small business certification, which previously was not available to undocumented business owners due to their immigration status. We thank Governor Newsom for supporting fair competition and giving all entrepreneurs equal opportunity to contribute to California’s prosperity.

Opportunity for All Vetoed by Governor Newsom

Opportunity for All (Alvarez), a bill that would have given undocumented access to on-campus jobs in California public colleges and universities, failed to pass at the governor’s desk. Governor Newsom cites “potential criminal and civil liability for state employees” as his reason for not signing the bill. While this is a blow to undocumented students’ ability to pursue employment opportunities, the fight is far from over! Learn how to support undocumented students’ professional development and how to advocate for inclusive work policies.

Join Us: DACA at the Courts

The court hearing date on DACA is scheduled for Thursday, October 10. This is the time to stay informed, engage, and mobilize for our community members who have called the U.S. their home and are at risk of losing their temporary protections.

Explore our compilation of resources for Beyond DACA and learn how you can mobilize your employer to advocate for DACA-eligible employees.
Join Home Is Here on Tuesday, October 15 at 4 p.m. PT / 7 p.m. ET for details about the hearing and how to prepare as we wait on the court’s decision.
Check our Instagram for updates and additional tangible actions you can take in support of DACA!

Media Highlight

“Brain waste” experienced by DACA recipients and undocumented people, an article by Vanessa Arredondo

Vanessa Arredondo writes a detailed report featuring stories from immigrant rights organizers like Dulce Matuz and community efforts from organizations like Instituto del Progreso Latino, TheDream.US, and Immigrants Rising. With DACA in limbo and a permanent resolve yet to be determined, more and more immigrants are pushed into unemployment or low-skilled jobs, unable to use their education or skills in their desired fields. Read more here.