Opportunity for All Youth; AB2586 Must be Signed
Written By; Jessica Jimenez
The financial burden of not being able to provide yourself with basic human necessities let alone finance your education can weigh heavy on anybody, especially those who can not access job opportunities. I myself know the struggles that come with not being able to obtain a job due to my status which discouraged me from pursuing higher education after high school. Knowing I have the potential yet it was something too expensive to achieve aside from supporting my own personal needs affected my mental and emotional health.
Assembly Bill 2586 “the Opportunity For All Act” sponsored by Assembly member David Alvarez will provide equal access to employment opportunities for all students, regardless of their immigration status at the University of California (UC), California State University (CSU), California Community College (CCC) campuses. This bill will address the inequality faced by undocumented students in completing their degrees and supporting themselves financially while completing their education. There is many organizations in support of AB2586 such as Undocumented Student-led Network (USN), ACIU California Action, Alliance San Diego, California Immigrant Policy Center, California Labor Federation, California State Student Association, Center-CARECEN-of California and Coalition for humane immigrant’s rights (CHIRLA), as well as the community.
In California, about 14,000 undocumented students graduate high school each year. Less than 10% continue to college and even fewer complete and earn a degree, the cause for this being that undocumented students are not eligible for federal financial aid and cannot apply for educational employment opportunities because of their status. Approximately 44,326 undocumented students are not eligible for DACA. About 23% of these students specialize in STEM and 30% in healthcare-related fields.
Fatima Zerafina an undocumented student in Cal State University Long Beach said, “We are gaslit and belittled into being grateful for the one or two opportunities and resources offered to our universities. We deserve more”. Another undocumented student Karely Amaya Rios expressed her struggles in making ends meet, which she said oftentimes left her vulnerable to labor exploitation.
California will not only support their financial stability but significantly enhance the state’s workforce and economic vitality as well as discover many talents brought by these students. By supporting the next generation of professionals we make our state and youth stronger and give them more capability of achieving their desired educational goals. AB2586 just passed the Assembly higher education committee. To show support on this Bill you may contact or visit the state capitol or district office.
State Capitol:
1021 O street, Suite 5320
Sacramento,CA 94249-0080
(916)319-2080
District Office:
276 Church Ave., Suite D
Chula Vista, CA 91910
(619)498-8580
