The Undocumented Student Resource Center (USRC), formerly known as the AB 540 and Undocumented Student Center, opened in October 2014 as the first dedicated physical space in the nation created specifically to support undocumented college students. This opening occurred as a result of immense labor and love from undocumented students and their student, staff, faculty, and advocate protesting our campus’ administration. Since then, we have grown to empower students to recognize and promote their individual achievements regardless of immigration status and inspire future generation of scholars pursue a higher education through outreach opportunities, before, during, and after their time at UC Davis.
2001: The AB 540 Passed in California Providing Conditional Access to In-state Tuition
- The passage of AB 540 in 2001, created an avenue for Undocumented students to access Higher Education and has since expanded via AB 2000 and SB 68. SB68 expands AB540. to enable students to count years spent at a Califo92rnia Community College and Adult School towards AB 540 eligibility.
Mid 2000s: Tam Tran and Cinthya Felix
- Both Tam and Cinthya were among the first group of undocumented students to graduate college at UCLA and enter graduate school, creating a legacy and narrative of folks being “Undocumented and Unafraid.”
Together their fight for immigrant justice encouraged undocumented students to attend college and thus continue to fight for the undocumented immigrant community. - 2006: An Undocumented Student Organization was Created
- Due to little to no support for undocumented students at this time, undocumented students first joined La-Raza Pre Law Student Association (LRPLSA) as a space to create community. In response, students like Maria Rodriguez and Hector Rojas worked together to create their own space where they could feel safe and comfortable amongst each other but also retain one another within this institution by establishing Rising Immigrant Scholars through Education (R.I.S.E.) as a registered student organization providing community building and support for undocumented students at UC Davis.
2007-2008: S.P.E.A.K.
- Rising Immigrant Scholars through Education (R.I.S.E.) was soon renamed Scholars Promoting Education, Awareness, & Knowledge (S.P.E.A.K.).
S.P.E.A.K. is constantly raising awareness at UC Davis, and the surrounding community, to inform about the diverse struggles that undocumented students experience while completing their undergraduate studies as well as providing social & academic support. 2009-2011: The California Dream Act Passed California, AB 130 and AB 131
- Advocacy and leadership led to the passing of the California Dream Act (AB 130 and 131), which later led to the formation and passing and implementation of DACA.
The CA Dream Act is a combination of bills that allow eligible undocumented and nonresident documented students to pay the resident fees at public colleges and universities, and apply for and receive certain types of financial aid. 2012: The DACA Program Went Into Effect
- Under the Obama administration, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program was implemented on June 15th, 2012 as an executive order meant to protect eligible individuals who arrived in the U.S. as children, before their 16th birthday, had qualifying education, resided in the country since 2007, and had no severe criminal history. DACA benefits include temporary protection from deportation, work permit, social security number, CA Driver’s License/ID Card, and the possibility to travel abroad with Advance Parole.
2013: UC Davis Students Demand the UC Davis Administration for a Physical Center
Aside from additional CA legislation passing to support professional licensure & certification pathways for Undocumented individuals (SB 1139 and 1159), at the UC Davis level, S.P.E.A.K. & their students, staff, & faculty allies across campus advocated for the existence of a physical space to support undocumented students.
In response, former Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Adela de la Torre committed to supporting the creation & development of what was known as the AB540 and Undocumented Student Center from 2014-2023.2014: Opening of the AB540 and Undocumented Student Center
The AB540 and Undocumented Student Center opened its doors in October 2014, becoming the first physical center (not program or resources offered) of its kind across the country to support undocumented students and their families to thrive within and beyond college. Student focus groups took place in the Fall of 2014 to help lead the vision of the Center in regards to academic, legal, financial, and holistic retention services.
2015: UCIMM is Funded and Established UC Systemwide
In Fall 2015, the UC Immigrant and Legal Services Center (UCIMM) was implemented in the UC System, becoming one of the many important and close partners of the AB540 and Undocumented Student Center. UCIMM’s Legal Fellow (now a full time Immigration Attorney) offers free immigration legal advice and services including DACA renewal support, family-based petition support, intake screenings, know your rights information, and more to currently enrolled UC Davis students and their immediate family members.
A focus group formed in January 2015, encouraging educators such as faculty/staff and graduate/professional students to engage in shared knowledge and opportunities regarding serving and advocating alongside the undocumented and immigrant student community at UC Davis.
UPE, formerly called the UndocuAlly Program for Educators, was hosted and offered monthly afterward, training over 1,000 individuals since April 2015.2018: National Search for Director After Founding Director Transitions Out
In Sept. 2018, Andrea Gaytan transitioned out of her role as the inaugural Director of the AB540 & Undocumented Student Center which led to students & allies (largely Chi/Lat Studies department faculty) advocating for an immediate national search for a permanent director.
S.P.E.A.K. members also played an integral role in advocating for a national search for a Director through a written statement emphasizing the need for undocumented students & alumni to be part of the hiring committee. Unfortunately, the Director search failed which placed the AB540 & USC student staff in shambles.2019: The Onboarding of Ignacio/Nacho Alacro as the Center’s Assistant Director
- Soon after students and their allies (largely Chi/Lat Studies department faculty) advocated for an immediate national search for a permanent director in 2018, the Mentorship Coordinator role was reframed as an Assistant Director role and posted as a national search.
In Feb, 2019, Ignacio/Nacho Alarcón (they/them) was selected & appointed as the inaugural Assistant Director of the AB540 & Undocumented Student Center. 2020: The Onboarding of Laura M. Bohorquez Garcia as the Centers 2nd Director
At last, during the uncertainty of and chaos of the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and after several efforts through a national search for a permanent director; the hiring committee for the director, composed of students & the community, came together to meet the top candidates: Laura M. Bohórquez García M.Ed. (she/they/ella) began their tenure June 2020.
Fall 2020: UC Davis remained closed due to COVID-19 precautions and safety
The USRC launched a successful UC Davis Crowdfunding ($6k raised) campaign for private, non-state-based institutional financial aid accessible to all undocumented students (with or without AB 540) who demonstrate financial need.
Together We Rise was launched, led by our partnering doctoral mental health counseling interns, as a peer-driven space for currently and formerly undocumented students to connect on various topics of mental health and wellness in community with one another.2021: Cross Campus Collaborations and Advocacy
ASUCD Senate Passed a Bill Resolution to End the “I” and “A” Words
The USRC 2020-2021 team worked remotely on drafting a Bill Resolution to end the use of degrading terms like “illegal” and “alien” at UC Davis amongst peers & within UC Davis classes. In efforts to continue fostering a mutual understanding & respect among staff, faculty, and students” as well as upholding UC Davis.
Principles of Community, the Team advocated at the ASUCD Senate level to support this new Bill Resolution that affirms inclusivity and a pre accessible, equitable experience for undocumented and immigrant students at UC Davis.
In collaboration with Aggie Compass the AB540 and Undocumented Student Center established a food voucher program committing to provide $100k during the 2021-2023 academic years. The program provided about 150 undocumented students each year with over $300 per quarter to support their food security needs. This program also complemented the Centers UndocuPantry by focusing on providing more toiletry items, blue books, scantrons and purchasing additional non perishable items.2022: A Year of Capacity Building and Expansion
Through the leadership of Director, Laura Bohorquez Garcia, and with the support of Chi-Lat Faculty Dr. Mónica Torreiro-Casa, the Center receives a Healthy ($14K) UC Davis Grant to implement the Emotional Well-Being and Health Through Creative Art program.
The Center transitioned to have permanent front desk student roles creating more stability for resource sharing and access to Center tours and referrals.
The Center also finalizes the new logo as a part of a strategic rebranding to create a center identity that resonates with UC Davis students.
The Center hosted an in-person UndocuWelcome and ImmiGrad celebration, the first after needing to be remote during the COVID-19 pandemic.
During the 2022 academic year, the Center welcomed our first full time UC Immigrant Legal Services Attorney, Chris Relos. This was a major transition to better serve our community at UC Davis, as we transitioned out of having only a legal fellow.
We onboarded an inaugural permanent Resource Coordinator Joyce Zamorano Sanchez. Since the beginning of the Center’s history in 2014, the Center had shared a part time office coordinator with our neighboring Student Resource and Retention Center. Reclassifying the role meant a better focus on resource referrals & office support, helping the USRC capacity tremendously.2023: Self and Community Preservation
Spring into summer, the Center recruited and hired our Inaugural Associate Director Daniela De La Cruz Telles. This year we re-classified the position description for the Assistant Director role to an Associate Director role to better align with Center needs & expansions.
The USRC focused on the following three goals. Establishing our capacity, launching new financial opportunities, and starting our strategic planning process.
We welcomed 4 fellows as a UC Davis College Corps Host Site, expanding our student team to increase our capacity in outreach and food security. We also increased our immigration legal services capacity by supporting the recruitment of a UC Immigrant Legal Services paralegal to support our UC Davis full time attorney. Aggie Fresh was also introduced as a supplementary nutrition program that provided funding for students who don’t meet Calfresh citizenship or student exemption requirements.
The USRC onboards Leo Flores as our Financial Aid Liaison. Leo has provided much needed individual support for students to understand their UC Davis financial aid packages and CADAA/FAFSA applications.
Opportunity For All Campaign: The USRC supports students and S.P.E.A.K’s advocacy for O4All. In 2023, O4All began as a campaign directed to the UC Reagents, advocating that the UC system must ensure equal educational and professional opportunities for the 44,000+ undocumented students in California without DACA. In 2024, SB 2586 passes entire CA legislature but unfortunately was not signed by Governor Newsom.2024: Community Care - Our Form of Resistance
- In alignment with our strategic rebranding, we moved to change our name hoping to amplify the healing and liberty frameworks we use in our everyday work that will resonate with the students we serve and the larger undocumented and immigrant community.
Our community voted for Undocumented Student Resource Center (USRC) as the center’s new name.
The USRC team presented at the national SUCCESS convening conference, where we expanded our network to undocumented centers of universities across the country. The USRC was also present at the inaugural UndocuTheorizations conference, a conference that seeks to unearth the diverse ideas and different ways of knowing arising in the field(s) of (Un)documented Studies and Undocu-Theory.
In line with expanding the team to increase capacity, the USRC piloted and recruited for two inclusive graduate and professional student fellowships, as well as two UCIMM student interns, the same year. 2025: The Undocumented Student Resource Center Celebrates Its 10th Anniversary
The Undocumented Student Resource Center celebrated its 10th Anniversary, with community, alumni, and scholars, where it recognized how far it has come since its establishment.
In January 2025, Laura transitioned out of her role as Director of the USRC, with Associate Director Daniela D. Telles accepting the role to become Interim Diretor during the transition period.
During the Fall Quarter of 2025, The USRC welcomed its newest partner, Maria Helena, who supports our community's mental health by being our CAN Counselor.2026: Our Legacy in Motion and Daniela D. Telles becomes the 3rd USRC Director.
In February 2026, Daniela D. Telles officially became the USRC's Director.
With efforts having begun during 2025, the USRC completed their updated Strategic Plan in the summer of 2026. The process brought together students, staff, faculty, and community members to shape the Center’s future.
In Summer 2026, the USRC, in collaboration with sister UC campuses, hosted the UC Undocumented Student Services Coordinators Retreat at UC Davis. The retreat provided an opportunity to reflect on the collective accomplishments of undocumented student centers across the UC system, share knowledge and promising practices, strengthen cross-campus partnerships, and collaboratively develop strategies to guide our work in the year ahead.