On Thursday, Oct. 28, students, faculty and staff will join together for Oglethorpe University’s “I Stand with Immigrants” Day of Action, calling on Congress to pass a pathway to citizenship and standing in solidarity with immigrant members of the campus community.
Oglethorpe joins more than 100 colleges and universities across the country in observing this day of celebration and advocacy.
Right now, Congress has a once-in-a-generation opportunity to pass immigration relief and protections, honoring the countless contributions of undocumented people made especially vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic. Passing such relief would serve millions, including DACA recipients, TPS holders, farmers and essential workers.
Oglethorpe’s Day of Action event, held at the Turner Lynch Campus Center fire pit from 11 a.m. – 3 p.m., will be an opportunity for the campus community to collectively advocate for immigration reform. Attendees will receive a free “I Stand with Immigrants” t-shirt and help draft a public response to proposed DACA regulations. Using the hashtag #CelebrateImmigrants on social media, campus advocates can post photos from the event and add their voices to a national conversation.
Two lectures and an advocacy workshop will further enrich the week, providing more opportunities for the Oglethorpe community to learn about immigration.
On Monday, Oct. 25 from 12 – 1 p.m., faculty and staff are invited to participate in the Undocu-Ally Workshop, which will update attendees on the current state of immigration in America and how higher education professionals can best provide support to undocumented students.
Poet and public speaker Yosimar Reyes
On Tuesday, Oct. 26 from 1 – 2 p.m., nationally-acclaimed poet and public speaker Yosimar Reyes will host a lecture titled “We Are More than Tragic Stories,” which will explore migration, sexuality and advocacy. Reyes was listed as one of “13 LGBT Latinos Changing the World” by The Advocate and was included in Remezcla’s “10 Up And Coming Latinx Poets You Need To Know.” From 6 – 7 p.m. that same day, Reyes will participate in a live Q & A with attendees.
On Friday, Oct. 29 from 2 – 3 p.m. Alejandra Arce will share her research on civic action among immigrant youth of color. Arce is a Ph.D. candidate in the Clinical and Community Psychology program at Georgia State University. Her research investigates contributors to resilience and positive developmental outcomes among immigrant youth of color. Arce’s presentation will be followed by a Q & A.
“We’re so excited about all of the speakers and activities we’ve got lined up around this year’s I Stand With Immigrants Day of Action next Thursday,” says Peter Dye, assistant director of community and global engagement, “It’ll be a great opportunity to celebrate our immigrant students on campus and advocate for long overdue immigration reform as an Oglethorpe community.”
Participation in the “I Stand with Immigrants” Day of Action represents Oglethorpe’s continued support for immigrants on campus, in the community, and across the country.
UndocuPetrels — Oglethorpe Undocumented Student Services’ Instagram — is a place to share updates, information, and resources on campus for our undocumented student community. Students can find information on scholarship opportunities, jobs and internships, mental health services, academic support, and more.
More information on the events mentioned in this story and links to the virtual lectures are available below:
- Undocu-Ally Workshop
- “We Are More Than Tragic Stories” with Yosimar Reyes
- Q and A with Yosimar Reyes
- I Stand With Immigrants Day of Action
- “Civic Action Among Immigrant Youth of Color” with Alejandra Arce
- “Understanding the U.S. Immigration Maze” & “U.S. Immigration Myths and Realities” with Charles Kuck, Immigration Attorney
