The Undocu-Success Center has aimed to be a life-line and a safe haven for undocumented students at Cal State Monterey Bay (CSUMB) since 2017, offering free and accessible services ranging from career development support to connecting students with free legal immigration services. Now, they’re continuing that work out of a new but familiar space; El Centro in the student center.
The Undocu-Success Center now has its own space in the student center within El Centro, the Latiné affinity center known for serving CSUMB students of Latiné identity. Undocu-Success Center student intern Paola Canuto-Carbajal says that the center’s relocation from building 37 to El Centro has made it easier for students to locate and utilize the services that Undocu-Success offers.
“I feel like just because we’ve done a lot of collaborations with El Centro and I feel like it’s a nice space, and I feel like it’s all here in this building where all the rest of the affinity centers are,” said Carbajal. The center celebrated their move into the new location with their event ‘Matcha and Brownies’ last Tuesday in El Centro, with over 60 registrees for the event on My Raft. Even with the event’s strong numbers and engagement, another student intern for Undocu-Success, Roberto Davila, notes that there is still a lingering fear that many undocumented students are feeling this year.
“It’s that fear, like, ‘Are our parents gonna be home when I get there? Am I OK? Depending on my status, am I at risk too?’” said Davila. While the fear and anxiety that many undocumented students are experiencing is real, the center reassures all students that they can receive services and help safely through the Undocu-Success Center, making it clear that the center does not take down student’s names or information as a way of protecting student’s identities.
“For Undocu [Success Center], you can come here, sit down with us, chat with us, just have a conversation,” said Carbajal. The center is currently hosting free Immigration Legal Defense (ILD) webinars over Zoom which are accessible through the CSUMB Undocu-Success Center’s Instagram and their website.
“Take advantage of the resources, especially these students, since you’re here on campus, utilize as many resources as you can,” said Davila.
Photo by Daisy Sanchez