Jay Sherwin
Staff
"I’ve been completely inspired and impressed by what undocumented young people have accomplished despite all the obstacles."
Policy Advocacy
We advocate for public policies that create, expand, protect, and remove barriers to opportunities for undocumented individuals to access higher education, advance their careers, and achieve economic mobility for themselves and their families.
Our California Policy Advocacy Goals
Access to College and Career
All Californians deserve access to quality, affordable higher education opportunities. We champion policies that ensure undocumented students enroll, persist and graduate from college. Through our advocacy efforts, we lower the cost of college, eliminate equity gaps, and improve post-graduation outcomes for undocumented students. Immigrants Rising collaborates with coalitions of advocates, colleges and universities, and community-based organizations to advance policies that foster educational opportunities for all Californians.
Economic Mobility
All Californians should have the opportunity to achieve economic mobility on their own terms. Through our advocacy efforts, we remove barriers and create opportunities for undocumented immigrants to access higher-paying jobs, create and grow businesses, and achieve economic security. Immigrants Rising collaborates with coalitions of advocates, economic justice and community development organizations to advance policies that foster a more equitable economy in California.
Our National Policy Advocacy Goals
Protect DACA
The prolonged legal battle to end Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) has left hundreds of thousands of individuals and their families in uncertainty. We fight to protect DACA and DACA-eligible recipients, ensuring they can live, work, and contribute to this nation without fear of deportation.
2025 Policy Priorities
California | Access to College & Career
This year, Immigrants Rising is working to advance policies that ensure undocumented students have access to college and career opportunities. By advocating for increased career opportunities and funding and ensuring the accurate implementation of tuition laws, we aim to break down the barriers that prevent undocumented students from pursuing higher education.
AB 713 (Solache): Opportunity for All
Expand paid training and research opportunities for undocumented undergraduate and graduate students at the University of California.
- Legiscan Link
- Author: Assemblymember Jose Solache
- Lead Organization: Undocumented Student-Led Network (USN), UCLA Labor Center/Dream Resource Center, Center for Immigration Law and Policy (CILP), UAW 4811, California Immigrant Policy Center, and Immigrants Rising
- Status: O4A is now a two-year initiative that will run until 2026. Oral argument in Umaña Muñoz, et al v. Regents of the University of California took place in San Francisco on May 13, 2025, and is now awaiting a court decision within 90 days. Read UCLA CILP’s statement here.
- Campaign Position: Co-Sponsor
- Domain: University of California system
- Point of Contact: Iliana Perez at iliana@immigrantsrising.org
- How to Get Involved
AB 540 Equitable Implementation
Increase alignment in the implementation of AB 540, California’s in-state tuition law, across all public California higher education institutions and individual campuses.
- AB 540 Quick Guide
- Lead Organization: Immigrants Rising
- Status: Systemwide AB 540 FAQ was updated in April 2025 with new timelines and processes in agreement with all three California public higher education systems (CCCs, CSUs, UCs).
- Domain: California public higher education systems
- Point of Contact: Madeleine Villanueva at madeleine@immigrantsrising.org
California | Economic Mobility
This year, Immigrants Rising is working to advance policies that ensure undocumented professionals and entrepreneurs have access to tools and resources for their economic stability and upward mobility. By advocating for small business funding and professional licenses, we seek to create opportunities for these professionals to support their families and communities and build a thriving California.
State Budget Request for SEED 3.0 (Carrillo)
Reinvest in and expand the SEED Initiative that supports individuals with limited English proficiency and immigrant social entrepreneurs with launching businesses that address social challenges or community needs.
- Letter of Support and SEED One-Pager
- Author: Assemblymember Juan Carrillo
- Lead Organizations: Economic Mobility for All (EM4A) Coalition, California Immigrant Policy Center, Immigrants Rising, Inclusive Action for the City, and Democracy at Work Institute
- Status: Governor Newsom’s May Revise budget proposal did not include funding for a third round of SEED grants. Inclusion of SEED grant funding in the State Assembly and Senate Budget is pending.
- Campaign Position: Co-Sponsor
- Domain: California
- Point of Contact: Denea Joseph at djoseph@immigrantsrising.org
- How to Get Involved: Join the Economic Mobility for All Coalition or sign up to advocate for SEED and share your story or testimony
AB 667 (Solache): Language Access in Professional Licensing
Require licensing boards under the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) to allow individuals with limited English proficiency the option to utilize an interpreter for a state written examination for a professional license.
- LegiScan Link
- Author: Assemblymember Jose Solache
- Lead Organizations: Economic Mobility for All (EM4A) Coalition, Immigrants Rising, and California Immigrant Policy Center
- Status: As of May 8, 2025, AB 667 is on the Assembly Appropriations Committee suspense file. The committee must act by May 23, 2025, to advance the bill to the Assembly floor.
- Campaign Position: Co-Sponsor
- Domain: California
- Point of Contact: Denea Joseph at djoseph@immigrantsrising.org
- How to Get Involved: Join the Economic Mobility for All Coalition or sign up to be a storyteller or spokesperson for AB 667
AB 2543 (Arambula) Implementation: Small Business Certifications
Ensure that undocumented business owners, including DACA Entrepreneurs, can register their businesses with the state as Certified Small Businesses.
- LegiScan Link
- Author: Assemblymember Joaquin Arambula
- Lead Organizations: Immigrants Rising & Central Valley Immigrant Integration Collaborative
- Status: Passed in 2024, to be implemented in 2025
- Campaign Position: Co-Sponsor
- Domain: California
- Point of Contact: Pedro Ramirez at pramirez@immigrantsrising.org
National | DACA Protection
This year, we are continuing to protect DACA in the courts and create public pressure on Congress to protect DACA recipients and immigrant youth.
DACA Protection, with Home is Here Coalition
The DACA program remains under constant attack, threatening the futures of immigrant youth and their families. DACA recipients are our nurses, teachers, coworkers, and friends — their home is here.
- Latest DACA Updates
- Lead Organizations: Home is Here Coalition
- Status: Pending
- Campaign Position: Steering Committee Member
- Domain: National
- Point of Contact: Iliana Perez at iliana@immigrantsrising.org
For a full list of Immigrants Rising 2025 policy engagement efforts, click here.
Coalition Work
Immigrants Rising amplifies its impact by working alongside state and national coalitions, building collective power to influence policymakers and drive meaningful change.
