When Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) senior Yanet co-founded UndocuRams, a student organization advocating for undocumented students, she channeled her uncertainty into action.
“We just really don’t know what’s going to happen next,” she said, speaking to The Commonwealth Times about the current political discourse around immigration, “If we can do something, even at a really grassroot level, it’s something being done.”
As someone who came to the United States from Peubla, Mexico at age eight, UndocuRams’ mission is personal for Yanet.
“Creating this organization [can] lead to other students continuing with their educations,” she said. “And having something, or someone, to uplift them.”
And the organization has big goals in mind. A participant at the fourth annual “I Stand With Immigrants” Day, UndocuRams hosts trainings for VCU students, faculty and staff to build a more inclusive campus community.
These conversations and events are central to the organization’s identity and to sharing the stories of VCU’s undocumented students.
“It’s important to realize undocumented students are in the classrooms with you, next to you,” Yanet said. “It was an appropriate move for us to start educating VCU’s staff, students and community members of the obstacles many face on a daily basis to have access to higher education.”
UndocuRams is also currently working to raise two $1,000 scholarships for undocumented students.
