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Student organization at Penn helps undocumented students

 In order to address this issue and provide needed support, Penn for Immigrant Rights (PIR), a student-run organization at the University of Pennsylvania (PENN…

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In the U.S., there are currently more than 1.8 million undocumented students attending college. They are often left out of the equation when it comes to financial aid and resources. 

In order to address this issue and provide needed support, Penn for Immigrant Rights (PIR), a student-run organization at the University of Pennsylvania (PENN), is offering limited financial support and resources to undocumented students. 

"Undocumented students are no different than any other student, they still go to classes, participate in clubs, everything else is similar but when it comes to a few things, its a little bit harder in terms of financial aid," Athena Buell-Becerra, co-scholarship chair of PIR said. 

Based on Penn's policy for college admissions, undocumented students are considered international students, there is no "check box" for undocumented students, so they check International instead.

Unfortunately, financial aid is not extended to all undocumented students and as a result, many are left to pay a hefty tuition price all on their own. International student tuition can amount to more than $50,000 yearly. 

"Undocumented students are an invisible community, they don't have to 'out' themselves but there is fear," Yessenia Moreno, scholarship chair of PIR said.  "A lot don't feel comfortable revealing their status as undocumented."

The student-run organization is currently giving away a $500 scholarship at the end of the semester. 

"We will be giving a $500 scholarship for one student and we're going to be working with different organizations including Puentes de Salud and Juntos to distribute the application as well as chose who they think would qualify," Moreno said. 

Application will be released online. 

In order to offer more aid and scholarships to students, PIR is trying to establish a charitable fund through The Philadelphia Foundation, which is a community foundation pool where small organizations can build grants and scholarships for people in need. 

"In order to establish a fund, the Philadelphia Foundation requires at least $5,000, once we open that, it will be a sigh of relief," Moreno said. 

"It will open a lot of windows for us, especially with specific donations from organizations that need to have a legitimate organization to give to, we are student-run and university-founded, we don't have certain details needed so donors can get tax refunds or benefits. The Philadelphia Foundation will solidify this," Becerra added. 

PIR is halfway through their goal of raising $5,000, thanks to past fundraising efforts. 

"The more donations we have, the more opportunities to give several scholarships to students and not just one." Moreno said. 

"It's really about providing resources to more students but we're also limited in funding so we're trying bridge that gap." she added. 

The organization plans on having a fundraiser every semester in order to give scholarships through-out the school year. 

"It's not about money, its about a cause. The real issue is that they are a number of bright and quality students who deserve to have an education but they do not have access to funding, we believe this should be a universal right to education," Becerra said. 

In addition to building the scholarship fund, PIR currently conducts info sessions and sensitivity training to Penn administrators to convey a better understanding of what undocumented students struggle with on campus.  


"The problem is that some people don't have the facts. For example, undocumented people pay taxes, that fact is not known. It creates an idea that undocumented people have no value in this community and they're not supporting the economy, when they really are. It's billions of dollars from taxes alone," Becerra added. 

How does an undocumented students get connected resources? 

Students may not feel comfortable revealing their immigration status on campus and as a result, they generally go through Penn administrators who are aware of clubs and organizations that can help undocumented students.

"Because its a sensitive subject, we don't go asking students, 'Hey are you undocumented, wanna join our club?,'  most of the time we are sought out," said Moreno. "We really try to make sure we have confidential and private atmospheres for those students," she continued. 

La Casa Latina, a resource center, is another place where students can receive help. The organization often gives referrals to PIR of students who are seeking support for certain needs. 

"Generally, they have to go through somebody in the administration that knows we exist. We get a lot of referrals from La Casa Latina. A trusted member from the organization will explain to the student that this a good support system. People you can look to, talk with and get answers from. That's a large portion of how we create those connections," Moreno said. 

What happens if undocumented students "out" themselves?

"There is a stigma associated with the word undocumented, even here at an Ivy League institution," Becerra said. 

According to Jose Gonzalez, former executive director of PIR, who is an undocumented student, said the Penn community is generally open to dialogue regarding immigration status of students. 

"I've shared the status in public and participated in panels speaking about the issue. I've never been attacked or harassed, I guess I was lucky." 

Gonzalez shared a story about one of PIR's founders, Tania Chairez, who in public platform, announced she was an undocumented student. 

"Tania came out in a big way, she wrote an op-ed in the newspaper and it got a lot of backlash online from people saying her spot at Penn could have gone to someone else who deserved it," Gonzalez said. "People were even threatening to stop donating to the school and that Penn should do something about this."

One of PIR's goals is to help give undocumented students a greater presence on campus and ultimately, make the college admission process more consistent. 

"When people in administration are reaching out to students using the international label, they don't release that we're neither," Gonzalez said. 

Becerra and Moreno mentioned the possibility of removing the word 'illegal alien' from the campus and adding an 'undocumented' section in the college application. 

"UCLA banned the word illegal alien/immigrant from the campus, so professors and student can't use it. PENN is very decentralized and stays neutral and it makes sense for a university that has donors from different areas, but I would love for PENN to do that," Moreno said. "To make sure we take away the stigmas for those students."

Becerra added, "I would like for PENN to add a section for undocumented students on the college application. Because in that way,  it can open more doors for financial aid." 

 
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