The Undocumented Students and Allies Club, formerly known as the Dreamers Club, has existed at Preuss since 2013 for all the students who want to join. There are no requirements or restrictions to join this club; anyone who wants to join is welcome. The club advisors are Ms. Esparaza, Ms. Scully, and Ms. Sliva.
For the moment, Ms. Esparaza has been in authority since 2019, and Ms. Silva has been a supervisor since 2023. Ms. Scully, from the Students Without Limits Program, has been a part of the club since its start in 2013.
“We have provided timely information about immigrant rights, support, and financial aid for over ten years,” says Ms. Esparaza.
The Undocumented Students and Allies Club welcomes student allies and others to join since they are able to connect to the struggle of the family immigration process and they also help by getting legal aid to support them after Preuss.
“The club is for any folks who want to support or are a part of the Undocumented Community. Due to the large number of immigrants on our campus and in our city, we saw a huge need for this type of support at Preuss,” stated Ms. Ezparaza.
“The need for undocumented student support has always existed at Preuss. Various teachers and students in 2013 decided to create this club with the support of Ms. Scully from Students Without Limits,” Esparaza adds.
In the Undocumented Students and Allies Club, they do circle check-ins, work on presentations to inform the student body about immigrant rights, and share meals together. In addition they celebrate seniors who get into college, and they provide financial aid assistance to those who are undocumented. Students and advisors of the club also present informative ways to steer clear from being taken captive from I.C.E to parents at PTA meetings.
“Usually we have pizza available for those that attend,” said Ms. Silva, an advisor of the Undocumented Students and Allies Club.
While The Undocumented Students and Allies Club does bring food, they recommend that students bring their lunch at club meetings as they don’t always bring pizza to their class in the building E202.
During this time students and families are struggling even more due to the new executive order made by our current President regarding the immigration process. Asylum seekers and immigrants who are pursuing to get citizenship in the United States are now struggling to stay in America without being deported by I.C.E (Immigration and Customs Enforcements).
On the day he took office, President Trump signed the “Executive Order Guaranteeing the States Protects Against Invasion.” This law invokes article four of the Constitution to prohibit the entry of any immigrants and Asylum Seekers at the southern border. This Executive Order has significantly impacted families struggling to acquire citizenship here in the United States, including Preuss students and their families.
“This club has helped me a lot because as a student here at Preuss coming from a family of immigrants trying to stay safe. The Undocumented Students and Allies Club informed me and my family phrases in case I.C.E comes to my house,” states Renata Espinozaa (‘28).
This club provides information and directions in case of a situation where students have an encounter with I.C.E on the street or if they enter students houses. The Undocumented Students and Allies club has also provided resources and websites on the Preuss Daily Bulletin.
“We would love to have you! We are supportive of all students,” exclaimed Ms. Ezparaza.
