Throughout last week, the University of Denver saw a plethora of on-campus events surrounding topics related to DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) and Undocumented students in higher education. While the University of Denver admissions process features pathways for DACA and undocumented students to receive financial aid, these pathways are not guaranteed across the country.

In many states, financial aid can be extremely difficult or even impossible to gain for undocumented students and those with DACA status. Besides having to face out-of-state tuition rates in their home state, the barriers to college graduation for the approximately 408,000 DACA and undocumented students can seem insurmountable. 

Unity Without Borders, a new student-led organization at the University of Denver, seeks to make these challenges bearable. 

“We felt like there was a need for a set organization that could provide support to all undocumented or DACA students here at DU,” Unity Without Borders co-president and third-year political science and economics student Luna Segura said. 

Over the past week, the group hosted several events to gather and educate community members on the state of DACA and undocumented students. Celebrations commenced with an International Culture Food Fest that highlighted eight different countries: El Salvador, Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Ethiopia, Turkey, Vietnam and Thailand. 

On Tuesday, support resources were provided to students and Wednesday was a dinner and movie night. Thursday, the organization hosted a legal presentation on the rights of DACA and undocumented students given by DU Sturm College of Law alumni, Maria Monclova and her brother, Arturo Vásquez. Friday brought an end to DACA/UNDOCU Week at DU with the final event fostering awareness through a student panel and community lunch. 

“It’s mainly about students, but with our events, we do like to bring the community together,” Segura said, adding that the events have been attended not only by members of the Denver community but also by family members of students from all over the country. “It’s about making a space where everyone can feel safe and get the support they need.”

Segura emphasized that the importance of organizations like Unity Without Borders does not lie only in providing a voice on campus for DACA and undocumented students. Rather, it also establishes a presence in the community and creates awareness in the minds of other students who may not have previously considered the challenges faced by their peers.

Segura mentioned that the awareness promoted by Unity Without Borders is crucial, as the community members supported by the organization have always held the thought of DACA in the backs of their minds. 

“We’ve grown up with this thought, of DACA, or being undocumented, being something we’ve thought about since we could think for ourselves,” Segura said.

Spreading knowledge of the systems in place that affect our fellow students can therefore become a pathway to creating a stronger community for all students at the University of Denver.

According to Segura, DACA/UNDOCU week events such as those held last week will typically constitute the largest events of the year for the group. However, with the momentum that Unity Without Borders has gained, bi-weekly events will ideally become the norm. 

To stay up-to-date with Unity Without Borders’ events, be sure to follow the organization’s Instagram. For more information on the University of Denver’s policies regarding DACA and undocumented students, see First@DU’s page.