A previous version of this story misspelled Tina Stavropoulos.

By Nigel Lopez

Riverside City College’s up-and-coming Undocu-Allies Club is an organization on campus created in the past three months by student Xochitl Lemus to address the needs of undocumented students.

Undocu-Allies Club’s goals are to provide community and a safe haven for undocumented students who might not be aware of the resources provided to them by the state of California or Riverside City College, students with undocumented family members, and allies of undocumented students. 

The club cites the “Dreamer’s Project Report,” a study released by the California Community Colleges Chancellor’s Office when identifying the needs of the students it intends to support. 

The club describes itself as inclusive for those who want to put in the work to help undocumented students, students with undocumented family members, and undocumented students.

 Xochitl Lemus, the club’s founder, is well aware of the struggles and challenges that undocumented students face.

 “Most of them are paying out of pocket for school,” Lemus said.

“They don’t have, say, DACA or DREAM Act sometimes because they think they’re undocumented. They believe they don’t qualify for things like the CCPG or PROMISE program.”

 The California College Promise Grant (CCPG) is a grant which waives enrollment fees. Her goal is to ensure undocumented students have a community that will bring that knowledge to them. 

She said that some don’t notice these students are aiming to make things better.

“Not a lot of professors see that (undocumented students) are trying,” Lemus said.  “They immediately cut you off.”

Tina Stavropoulos, Associate Professor of English at RCC, took on the role as club adviser in December.

“The club serves an under-served community,” club adviser Tina Stavropoulos said.

Stavropoulos also expressed her goals to have training for RCC faculty through equity flex. It would be similar to ally training for staff to help LGBTQ students.

Jj is an active club member who themselves has first hand experience with the struggles of an undocumented student and is willing to share all of their knowledge with other club members. 

“The club provides a safe environment for students who are undocumented or have undocumented family,” Jj said.

“TODEC provides legal services for undocumented or mixed status students at RCC” Jj said. Training Occupational Development Educating Communities (TODEC) is an advocacy group that helps immigrants learn English, get citizenship, and more. RCC does not have an immigration lawyer on site to help students due to a lack of communication between TODEC and RCC.

RCC alumnus, Berto Hernandez, was abducted by ICE on RCC campus on the way to the library several years ago and was held in custody for a year.

There will be a film held at the Hall of Fame on RCC campus about Hernandez and other students who have experienced similar issues throughout Southern California near the end of April.

Undocu-Allies Club will hold “Platicas” in which students get to talk about their issues and stressors with a community who have similar experiences. Lemus says that it is a special community where you can feel safe.

Like Jj, allies can bring their personal knowledge and experience with the resources available to undocumented students contributing to solving a larger problem.

 “Being part of this task force can be a way to enact action,” Lemus said. “Support the club. Actually be part of the action … for those who have a voice but haven’t found it yet.”