A fight for equal opportunities: The organization that advocates for Loyola's undocumented students

The Undocumented Students' Organization at Loyola University advocates for equal opportunity and access to on-campus jobs for undocumented students.

By assisting students with financial aid issues and providing them with access to workplace necessities, the organization is committed to ensuring that everyone, regardless of immigration status, can participate in campus life and work toward achieving their career goals, says Tofa Oteju, a third-year nursing student and intern with the Undocumented Student Organization.

An undocumented student is a student who does not have U.S. citizenship for reasons such as an expired visa or a failure to undergo inspection, says Aniqa Jewa, a third-year social worker, elementary education student and organizational intern.

The Undocumented Student Organization was founded in 2020 with the help of the Center for Diversity and Inclusion, said Jewa

Jewa said she plays a big role in communicating with the university's various faculties and raising awareness of the difficulties undocumented students face in finding jobs. These, according to Jewa, can include, for example, not being able to get fingerprinted or sometimes having to go through required background checks during the recruitment process.

Oteju emphasized the passion and commitment this organization brings to those in need. She said she felt compelled to join the team because of her passion for promoting diversity and inclusion on campus.

“I joined the Undocumented Student Organization primarily because it is so small,” Oteju said. “I feel like this community is so underrepresented.”

Although the organization is trying to grow its community, Jewa and Oteju say it is difficult to join. Both stressed that they will continue to create a safe space and hold closed meetings for anyone who wants to join.

“I have friends who are undocumented and I also come from a family that has undocumented members,” Oteju said. “That's why I think it's very important to show them that they have a place at Loyola.”

All students have the right to participate in the search for a job on campus, but according to Loyola's Student Worker Employment Guide, not everyone is qualified or eligible to do so.

“Because undocumented students cannot do a background check or fingerprinting, and many programs require that,” Jewa said. “We are basically just building that bridge

that connects the government with the students.”

Oteju highlighted the difficulties an undocumented person can face if they do not have access to a Social Security number or a work permit in the United States.

“I think they should have the same opportunities as other students,” said Jewa. “They did not choose this life.”

One of the biggest questions many of the organization's students ask, according to Jewa, is what they will do after graduation. As stated in Loyola's admission requirements, the application process requires only a high school transcript, optional standardized test scores, and a letter of recommendation.

After undocumented students graduate, Jewa said, they receive neither a scholarship for a social security number nor a work permit, leaving them with only a degree and a diploma.

To prevent this, the Undocumented Student Organization tries to raise awareness of their group through joint programming and collaboration with other clubs such as Ramblers Analyzing Ideas and Career Services.

Oteju said her program aims to meet with the deans of each school to let them know how they can help students with undocumented concerns, such as submitting a FAFSA application or getting fingerprinted.

“Our plan is to have special representatives from each department to educate us about the undocumented community,” Oteju said. “In past years, many students have complained that they need help, but they were passed around and never had a person to turn to.”

Oteju said they are currently working to create a permanent resource for undocumented students in every school at Loyola University.