©Favianna Rodriguez
On December 6, Hostos held its Second Annual Immigration Resource Fair. Titled “Migration is Beautiful!” the day-long event included a “Know Your Rights” workshop and culminated with powerful “Unafraid! Border-crossing Stories” told by immigrant students.
Hostos students and alumni also shared personal testimonies and stories both authored and illustrated. Students and faculty were joined by special guest Cesar Vargas, the first undocumented lawyer of New York State and national immigration activist. Over 150 participated in or attended the two events.
Hostos administrators, including President David Gómez and Nathaniel Cruz, Vice President for Student Development and Enrollment Management (SDEM), also lent their support for the important and timely event.
“The national discourse, regarding immigration, is all about access,” Cruz said. “CUNY and its constituent colleges place a high premium on access. “Hostos’ mission has always been, and will always be, to serve the disadvantaged and underrepresented.”
The events were organized by Hostos Assistant Professor Inmaculada Lara-Bonilla, the Hostos Dream Team (a campus-based organization that supports undocumented students), and Elizabeth Pattison, among other members of the Immigration Work Group of the Bronx Corridors to College Initiative. The Office of Academic Affairs also offered its support, along with Dean Ann Mester and Dean Félix Cardona.
Resource tables from CBOs and government agencies offered help throughout the day with everything from housing and employment-related issues to legal matters. Organizations included Catholic Charities/New Americans Hotline, the Dominican Women's Development Center/ Nuevo Amanecer; The New York State Youth Leadership Council, Bronx Legal Services, Qualitas of Life, New York Immigration Coalition, MOIA, Hostos Immigration Center (Citizenship Now!), CUNY Citizenship Now!, VIP Mujeres, BronxWorks, Sauti Yetu Center for African Women, Hostos DREAM Team, 1Freedom, and Her Justice.