Immigrant and Undocumented Student Life: Resources, Support, Community

This year, Terps Take Care interviewed Rocio Fregoso-Mota, Coordinator for Immigrant and Undocumented Student Life located in STAMP. Find out about resources, programming, and opportunities to connect – and to read some lovely words of encouragement from Rocio!

 

TTC: Thank you so much for agreeing to interview with us this year. It’s been a while since we’ve connected with your office like this, so please – fill us in on what the office of Immigrant and Undocumented Student Life looks like these days.

  • RFM: The Immigrant and Undocumented Office supports undocumented students with navigating their higher educational journey. We provide a safe and informed space for students to receive mentorship, resources, and community. Our goal is to help our students thrive and become successful at the university. Similarly we provide mentorship and community spaces for formally undocumented or students who have mixed immigration status family members that are impacted by migration related matters. We also provide support and training to staff and faculty on how to best help undocumented students so that they can contribute to their wellbeing as well.

TTC: Community, connection, resources, supports and safety – you’re offering up things that really feed the soul, so to speak. Are there any specific services or programs that you want to highlight for our students?

  • RFM: Our programming is responsive to the needs of our community and open to suggestions if students want to see a certain type of event. We offer educational programming that discusses immigration topics, social programming for students to get to know each other, wellness programming where students find tools for emotional support, and celebratory events such as the Dream Gala each spring that highlight achievements.
TTC: This is such a wide array of programming – amazing. I’m so glad this office exists. Can you tell us a little abut how it came to be?
  • RFM: The Office of Immigrant and Undocumented Student Life has a history rooted in student and staff/faculty activism. We owe the existence and establishment of our office to the students, staff, and faculty that noticed a necessary need on campus and decided to raise awareness until the office was created. We aim to continue working with students, staff, and faculty to update policies and processes to better support undocumented students.
TTC: Activism – and student activism in particular – is so powerful in bringing about change, new resources, and support. What one thing would you want our students to know?
  • RFM: I would like students to know that there is so much power in community. Finding time to meet different people and establish community connections is so important to wellbeing. Those connections are often what sustain you during the good and tough times in college and post-graduation. We encourage students to find several communities that feel like home at UMD and hopefully we are one of them!
TTC: Excellent advice. Speaking of wellbeing – what do you do to maintain yours?
  • RFM: I like to limit my screen time and spend time talking walks with my husband and son outside to ground myself.
TTC: I need to do more of that whole limiting-screentime thing. And walks are lovely! So, Rocio, how can students connect with your office?
TTC: Rocio, thank you so much for taking the time to answer our questions. Last one! Is there anything else you think students should know?
  • RFM: To all the undocumented students and mixed immigration status students at UMD: you truly are your ancestors’ wildest dreams! You add value to our community, you belong, and you will succeed. We hope you engage with us during your time here at UMD. We are rooting for you!