Governor Pritzker and Senator Durbin Join Call To Expand Opportunity and Access for All Students
Chicago, Illinois – In a city long recognized for its immigrant heritage, the third annual Supporting Undocumented Students’ College & Career Equity: Strategies for Success (SUCCESS) Convening brought together more than 450 participants from over 175 colleges, universities, and organizations and over 30 states. Hosted by the Presidents’ Alliance and partners, the event united institutional and student leaders, trustees, faculty, staff, advocates, entrepreneurs, and policy and legal experts in a shared mission: to expand access and opportunity for undocumented students and graduates.
The convening took place at a pivotal moment, as less than one third of the 510,000 undocumented students currently enrolled in U.S. higher education benefit from DACA. Access to in-state tuition and state financial aid is under attack, with lawsuits from the U.S. Department of Justice challenging tuition equity in at least five states, jeopardizing opportunities for more than 100,000 students. Highlighting the event’s national significance, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, longtime champions for immigrant communities, addressed the convening and called for urgent collaboration to meet the extraordinary challenges facing undocumented students and the institutions that serve them.
“Across Illinois, immigrants have contributed to the fabric of communities small and large throughout our state’s history – especially our students,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Illinois remains committed to supporting our students and providing inclusive pathways for all. Not only is this the right thing to do. It is the smart thing to do – for the future of our economy and the future of our communities.”
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin, who has built a remarkable legacy as a legislator and dedicated his career to advocating for Dreamers, reaffirmed his commitment, “With your education, you are proving your value, to yourself, to your family, and to this country. You are part of our future. That’s why meetings like this, focused on education, are critically important.”
“In the face of escalating challenges and increased fear, this convening takes on greater urgency,” said Miriam Feldblum, President & CEO of the Presidents’ Alliance. “Colleges and universities must double down on our efforts to support undocumented students and recognize, reaffirm, and defend the promise, power, and potential that undocumented students and graduates bring to higher education and beyond.”
Co-hosted by the University of Illinois Chicago, Illinois Institute of Technology, Dominican University, Immigrants Rising, and TheDream.Us, the convening served as a powerful platform for sharing best practices, fostering collaboration, and advancing strategies to support undocumented students in undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs.
Gaby Pacheco, President & CEO of TheDream.US said, “Dreamers deserve more than survival. They deserve to thrive. This year, they’ve faced three great challenges: fear over their legal status, the crushing financial burdens of higher education without in-state tuition and aid, and the heavy weight of anxiety that comes from living in uncertainty. And yet, with courage, they keep moving forward. With heart, they keep dreaming. And all of us at SUCCESS are proud to stand with and support them at this convening and beyond.”
“This is our third year co-hosting this convening, and we chose to do so because we’ve seen the impact of what happens when people come together across organizations, sectors, and lived experiences. Each time, the conversations deepen, partnerships grow, and new strategies emerge,” said Iliana Perez, Executive Director of Immigrants Rising. “Out of hardship, innovation is born. Out of fear, courage rises. And out of isolation, we find solidarity.”
See additional resources on the Higher Ed Immigration Portal.