Former LBCC student Ivon Vargas was told by her high school counselor, that because she was undocumented, she couldn’t go to college.
Vargas, who is now on her way to graduate from U.C. Irvine this upcoming spring, said the experience was discouraging.
She was forced to find resources on her own to pursue higher education, as she wasn’t presented with the right tools to transition from high school straight to a four-year university.
According to Vargas, it was difficult determining who she could tell her story to, in order to help her in the way she needed to continue her schooling.
The average amount of undocumented students at Long Beach City College is around 650 out of about 24,000 students enrolled.
That is over 99% of students who can’t relate to or understand the experience of being an undocumented student.
Vargas said the experience of being an undocumented student has been, “Challenging, because I feel we have it twice as hard as anyone else. Both being first-gen and undocumented presents itself a challenge.”
Being “first-gen” is a term often used for people who are the first in their family to either graduate high school or college.
When President Trump announced he wanted to end DACA, Vargas said, “I thought it didn’t make sense because when you get DACA you have to go through a whole background check. So, it’s not like we’re bad people.”
“It is discouraging having someone tell you, ‘Oh no you can’t go to school anymore,’” Vargas said.
Not only have undocumented students faced the potential reality of not having DACA renewed, but the pandemic has robbed the opportunity of many to celebrate graduation.
Graduating from college is a milestone celebrated for the first time in generations for many undocumented students.
Regarding her time at LBCC, Vargas said, “I did get the right sources at LBCC, but only because I went out of my way to find it. I wish there were more events where students would become aware of the resources available and make it known to the students about the DREAM Services Center.”
LBCC offers services to support AB540 and undocumented students at DREAM Services.
“Our primary focus is to serve, support, and advocate for the academic, professional and personal development and success of all undocumented students at Long Beach City College,” read the DREAM Services website.
Many undocumented students struggle with not knowing who is an ally, and not knowing who they can go to for help.
For Vargas, she reached out for help from LBCC Spanish professor Veronica Alvarez, who introduced her to DREAM services, which at the time was in its early stages.
Jose Gutierrez, LBCC DREAM Services coordinator said, “Ivon represents so many students at LBCC, students who have grit and determination.”
“She has shown up and was present even when things were not going her way. It’s an honor to be able to support and help students like Ivon,” said Gutierrez.
This year, LBCC offered Undocu Ally training for the first time to students. In the past, the training was only open to faculty and staff.
Vargas helped co-present one of the past Undocu Ally trainings to faculty and staff, an event Gutierrez helped lead at LBCC.
“Someone can sympathize and empathize when hearing my own personal story as an undocumented student. It is powerful, and I do feel the training makes a difference,” Vargas said.
Now that Vice President Biden is the President-Elect, Vargas said, “I feel like I can do more things now and feel open to it, for example, getting my Master’s degree. I feel so blessed and happy that he won.”
Vargas celebrated with her sister who is also an undocumented student.
“All my hopes and dreams have a happy ending and now and I can see it,” said Vargas.
Vargas referenced the Spanish phrase, “Querer is poder,” a common phrase which translates to “Where there is a will, there is a way.”
Vargas said, “I strongly believe that if you want something, you can definitely do it. No matter your race, no matter your ethnicity or your status, you can do it.”
For more info on DREAM services at LBCC, click here.