Immigrants Rising November Newsletter

Dear John,

It’s National Entrepreneurship Month!

My name is Denea Joseph, and I am the National Entrepreneurship Manager at Immigrants Rising.

After the most recent election turning the tide for immigrants yet again, I am reminded how being undocumented requires us to be flexible, creative, and immensely strong. We pursue opportunities out of aspirations, out of need, or to live out our dreams despite our immigration status. For me, entrepreneurship opened doors so I could earn a living on my own terms and care for my late grandmother at once. I was able to create an avenue where I can use my power as a Black DACAmented womxn to educate people across the nation irrespective of DACA’s future.

It is clear that the coming years will bring new challenges for us, including the 600,000 DACA recipients and the millions more who do not have work authorization or a pathway to adjusting status. Despite the emerging barriers to traditional employment, entrepreneurship is becoming an increasingly viable option for all undocumented immigrants in the U.S., with or without work authorization. Wherever you are in your immigration and entrepreneurship journey, I encourage you to explore resources like Informed Immigrant’s employment guides and consider how you can generate income, no matter what may happen in our near future. Visit Immigrants Rising’s entrepreneurship resources page, which will soon include ImmigrantBizHub, a gamified platform for individuals who dream of starting or growing their own businesses to access vital resources, community support, and actionable steps to navigate entrepreneurship successfully. You are not alone — you will always have your strength, resiliency, and community to learn from and persevere with.

Thriving together,

Denea Joseph
National Entrepreneurship Manager
Immigrants Rising

P.S. Looking to support immigrant-owned businesses? Explore some of my favorites: The Petal Effect by Tobore Oweh, Illegal Drip by Bo Thai, GC Handbags, and Al Marg inside the Slauson Swap Meet in Los Angeles.

Mental Health Resources for the Holidays

The holidays can be challenging for many of us. Explore our mental health resources to see what you can do and where you can get support in caring for yourself and your loved ones, including getting connected with a mental health professional.

Guides for Undocumented Students Applying to UCs and CSUs

It’s college application season! Learn how to navigate the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) applications while undocumented with the Quick Guide for Applying to the UC and Quick Guide for Applying to the CSU.

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) Remains Open for DACA Recipients

DACA Recipients may now and still enroll for affordable, comprehensive health care under the ACA, beginning November 1. Access to affordable, comprehensive health care under the ACA, including mental health, is more essential than ever. There is no policy change at this point, and any future changes are uncertain and would take significant time. Read more about the ACA and how you can apply on NILC’s FAQ page.

Learn More About Opportunity for All

On November 22, IDEAS at UCLA and the Undocumented Student Network (USN) are hosting a teach-in about the fight for on-campus employment for undocumented students enrolled in the University of California. Join on Zoom to learn more about its history and how you can get involved in future campaigns.