IDEAS Mission StatementIDEAS (Improving Dreams, Equality, Access, and Success) is the official voice of

undocumented students at UCLA, and we recognize the diversity within the movement as our membership comprises of individuals from various nationalities, ethnicities, and genders. IDEAS exists to provide undocumented students with the resources and support needed to

ensure their retention in higher education. Furthermore, we strive to ensure access to higher education by educating our communities about the opportunities open for higher education

success. As advocates, we will fight for the equal representation of our community in higher education and fair immigration reform that recognizes the contributions of undocumented

immigrants to this society.

About IDEASOur four pillars–activism, membership, community service, and fundraising–are upheld by our Board Members who strive to increase the awareness and support of the community for undocumented youth. Inside and outside the UCLA campus, we advocate for undocumented youth through our internal and external chairs. We foster the well-being and development of our diverse membership through our membership chair and office manager, and we record the story of the movement with the help of our Ourstorian. Through the AB540 Project, we serve the community by hosting events that inform about the resources available to undocumented youth as well as the issues they face. As we recognize the financial needs of our students in their pursuit for higher education, our fundraising chairs find ways to create funds that allow undocumented youth to afford the ever-increasing tuition in our universities.We will continue to support the endeavors of undocumented youth and celebrate the movement they have begun.

Take a look inside! Week of Awareness............................12015 OURstory day...........................2 ICE OUT of LA.................................3

Undocu Summit.................................4

.Tam and Cynthia’s vigil....................5

.8th annual IYEC...............................6

Spotlight on....................................7

Dear Potential Private Sponsor, IDEAS at UCLA proudly welcomes you to our family! IDEAS has been at the forefront of immigrant rights organizing, mentorship,empowerment, and advocacy for the undocumented community. IDEAS works to advocate and empower undocumented students in their educational journey. Thanks to the wonderful support from allies who believe together with us IDEAS has been able to offer diverse resources to undocumented students. These resources make the world of a difference in the life of undocumented students by easing their daily loaded shoulders.

This year IDEAS is thrilled to welcome incoming students from diverse communities to the IDEAS family. IDEAS proudly supports students from diverse backgrounds and diverse aspirations. Despite any challenge undocumented students face, they are breaking grown in various research fields and providing fresh perspectives in the fields they are part of.

These exceptional individuals have worked many jobs, fundraised money through countless activities, and have made many sacrifices—all to obtain a higher education. Fortunately, new implemented policy like Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and the California DREAM Act have eased some of the financial burden faced by undocumented students. Nevertheless, not all undocumented students have access to these resources and still struggle pursuing an education at UCLA.

Thanks to the amazing support from UCLA faculty,organizations, and administration IDEAS is able to empower and advocate for access to education for undocumented students. But more can be done! Will you dare to believe with us in making higher education accessible to undocumented students?Your humble donation of $10.00 or more can make the world of a difference in the lives of these students. IDEAS invites you to invest in the educational attainment of change makers! Together we can! Thank you in advance for your valuable time and great support!

All the best,IDEAS at UCLA

IDEAS at UCLA held a week of awareness in which each day of the week was devoted to bring awareness to some of the realities of undocumented individuals as wells as those who face intersectionalities. The week of awareness brought forth discussions around health care access for undocumented communities, intersectional identities, social justice mixer and of course--Testimony Thursday. Thursday I was really happy to see membership step up for Testimony Thursday. They proved to themselves that they could organize and facilitate an event. And in doing so, they became more integrated into the organization (IDEAS at UCLA). Not only was it great to see membership take advantage of a leadership opportunity, the testimonies were touching stories of how family separation plays out as a result of different systems in place--whether that be displacement, military occupation, immigration, mass incarceration and detention, etc. It's necessary for people to understand how and why these systems are in place, but it also equally important to pass on personal stories of how macro systems impact a family on a daily basis. That's what Sofia and I set out to do with the event, and with the membership, it went pretty smooth.Most importantly, important connections and safe space was created to share valuable experiences.

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IDEAS at UCLA is more than an organization. IDEAS at UCLA is a family ready to listen and ready to grow. The groundbreaking work that IDEAns have produced over the years goes beyond changes in policy and institutional change. IDEAS has become a space in which shared experiences made way for the growth and healing of many members. This year’s ourtsory day reminded members old and new that what makes IDEAS at UCLA so unique is the unmatched support system and friendships that last beyond academic careers at UCLA. It was truly beautiful to experience a space in which words of love, encouragement, and support filled every corner. We were reminded by alumni that at the end of the day we too are human and deserve rest, respect, and an opportunity to grow. In the same manner new membership reminded us that activism happens at the diverse levels and that each struggle is worthy of support, respect, and consideration. While some tears were shed, the overwhelming feeling of care and profound understanding filled both new and old generations with a refreshing spark. A spark which lit inspiration in many and motivation in all to continue the legacy and powerful work of the IDEAS family at UCLA. My warmest appreciation goes to all those who made this memorable day possible.

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During the last years CA Dream Act and Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) have provided protection and different privileges to some members of the undocumented immigrant community, while leaving millions without protections. As undocumented students, we acknowledge our privilege to be in this institution which the majority of our communities of color do not have access to. However as undocumented immigrants part of many communities we know that much work needs to be at a local level to fight for the safety of our whole community. As part of our effort to engage with community spaces outside of UCLA , IDEAS has participated in ICE out LA meetings and events that strive to end ALL collaboration between ICE and local law enforcement. The continuous criminalization of immigrant communities is just another form of structural violence against communities of color. As part of communities of color, our members are directly impacted by the prison industry system. IDEAS also focus on engaging with work being done our Prison Divestment.

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As one of the undocumented student attendees, I just want to start off by taking into account my privilege as a member of this university and this family. The UC summit became a reality because of the sacrifices of our predecessors. It was a great honor for the delegation to represent UCLA and IDEAS because we carried with us a legacy of activism and immigrant rights advocacy. We flew to Oakland with the responsibility of never forgetting the history of Janet Napolitano as Department of Homeland Security director. Our objective was to hold her accountable to the demands of the students, and by extension, our families and communities.On the first day of the summit, we showed Napolitano our collective student power through a respectful nonviolent protest, raising our fist in the air and reading a well-thought out statement about “refusing to be pawns in her political game.” This was a response to three things: (1) the lack of transparency for the agenda items, (2) the selection of delegates leading up to the summit, and (3) her absence when she promised to be present in the first place. Students felt that the agenda had already been set before them, when they should be setting the agenda as experts of their own experiences. Students also felt that the selection of delegates should have gone through the undocumented student groups first before administration, as the relationship between the two entities is not uniform for all the campuses. Because the outreach was done through administration, many students were left out of the conversation, especially the most vulnerable of our population, those who do not qualify for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals or California DREAM Act. The underlying problem, however, is Napolitano’s absence. She removed herself from an important panel discussion, which would have been the perfect opportunity for every student to ask her questions. When undocumented students, who have other more pressing things to worry about, take their time to be heard, the least you could do is listen.There is a summit coming up in the fall, for students only. I believe that the summit last month was important in setting our foot in the ground to establish a tone of urgency and no-nonsense. We will not play anyone’s political game. The only game we are playing is for the retention and access of our communities to higher education. We deserve to live without fear, and until then, we will continue to make sure that she uses her authority to alleviate the very pain she has caused towards the undocumented community.

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Tam Tran and Cynthia Felix have become a symbol of perseverance and bravery. Their prudent steps have permanently etched an attitude and passion for immigrant rights that still lives strong within many of us . They both wore their status as a mark of pride. They fought for fair and equal educational opportunities as well as for their community at large. Their vigil has helped many of us put a face to the activist. They were strong, well educated and motivated, but they were people. People whose memory lives strong with those they impacted and knew.

IDEAS has proudly served the

undocumented community through the Immigrant

Youth Empowerment Conference. The Eighth

Annual IYEC embodies a year round work

commitment. Because IDEAS passionately serves

the community the various components of the

IDEAS Ab 540 project diligently worked to make

this year's IYEC a success. Something amazing

about this conference is that about 100% of the

work for this conference is done in a volunteer

basis. Every volunteer and presenter donate their

time and resources to ensure that the newest wave

of undocumented students and allies feel welcome

and prepare for the next steps in higher education.

We thank everyone who attended, presented and volunteered, and donated resources. We

look forward to keep serving our community through this conference and other mediums

more and more each year.

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Alfred HerreraAlfred Herrera, director of Community College Partnerships at UCLA, exceeds all expectations and has been a key ally to undocumented students at UCLA. His kind heart and helping hand has lifted the weight from many shoulders and has motivated individuals to keep on. For his awesomeness, support, and beautiful heart the IDEAS family says THANK YOU!

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Domenica Castillo

Domenica, an IDEAS alumni, (and superstar!) has been of immense support to younger generations of IDEAns. Her warm smile and inviting nature has provided a safe space for many. Also, she has gone far and beyond in supporting IDEAS efforts and events with a willing heart to serve and encourage. For all your love and support your IDEAS family says THANK YOU!!