As we are all becoming aware, through the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program, approximately 800,000 eligible undocumented DREAMERS (AB540 eligible students) were provided the resources to pursue a higher education, advancing our respective communities. It allowed for undocumented students to come out from hiding in the shadows, and actively seek a means to make a better life for themselves and their families. The decision to end this program will undoubtedly affect a large portion of our membership, our families, and by default the respective communities we come from.
Since our inception – Gamma Zeta Alpha Fraternity, Inc. has strived, as non-profit organization, to remain steadfast in the growth of our brothers, alumni and surrounding communities respecting the choices of government on all fronts. However, that since our inception, on December 3rd, 1987, our presence at California State University, Chico became a political statement; confirming our role as an academic fraternity established as a support system to our fellow RAZA and membership that joined thereafter, to successfully help attain a University level education. In the last 8 months, we find ourselves with the need to strategically increase and develop new ways to empathize with our members to provide that continued support for one another in ways where we must come together as an organization, and as a Greek Life and University community. Furthermore, we must come together as individuals with educational privilege to advocate on behalf of those that have not been afforded the same benefit.
As members of our brotherhood, we call upon our brothers old and new, to recognize our duty as brothers, and stand in solidarity to support our fellow members and members of the DACA communities. – Brothers who are DACA recipients please know that as Gammas we are proud of your continued efforts to pursue your academic and professional development, despite the forces that threaten your mere existence within the college communities you pertain to. Please know that we will stand and fight for the rights you have worked so hard for.
Please find some immediate resources below to help navigate through this current endeavor:
- Immigrant Legal Resource Center
- United We Dream Org. UWD is the first and largest immigrant youth-led organization in the nation and advocates for the dignity of immigrant families, regardless of immigration status.
- The California Community College Chancellor’s Office also provides some resources via online at: http://www.cccco.edu/ResourcesforUndocumentedStudents.aspx
For those of you helping brothers, please reach out to amongst one another for support and resources. Finally, any brother in need of assistance or who would like to take a leave of absence to work on pending issues, please reach out to your chapter or national leadership as soon as possible, we are here to help.