Walk in the shoes of undocumented students

Students will paint their sneakers to support undocumented immigrants’ access to higher education Nov. 4 at “Paint the Path for ACCESS” in the Latino Cultural Center.

The next step is to wear the decorated footwear for the Walk in my Shoes Campaign Nov. 11 on campus.

The events support the proposed Student ACCESS bill (Access to College and Career-Education for Statewide Success) to make state-funded scholarships and tuition waivers at four-year public universities accessible to undocumented students.

“Undocumented students don’t have access to scholarships that citizens or permanent residents have,” said Amalia Pallares, director of the Latin American and Latino studies program. “Only private scholarships, which are few and insufficient, and private loans, which are also very hard for them to get, are available. Many students with great potential finish in seven or eight years because they have no support for their education.”

Jocelyn Munguia, a junior in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, says she’s experienced the lack of financial support first-hand.

“I could have graduated last May if I could afford being a full-time student, but that’s not the case,” said Munguia, program coordinator and social media chair for the Fearless Undocumented Alliance at UIC.

“And some students have to stop altogether,” Pallares added.

The campaign is sponsored by the Latino Cultural Center, Asian American Resource and Cultural Center, the Heritage Garden Student Group and FUA.

There are three events:

• “Painting the Path to Access” shoe decorating, Nov. 4, noon to 3 p.m., Latino Cultural Center (LC B2). Bring shoes or buy white sneakers at the event for $5

• Student ACCESS Bill press conference, Nov. 11, 1:30 p.m., 605 Student Center East

• “Walk in My Shoes,” a student-led walk through campus, leaving after the press conference at 2 p.m.

For more information, email studentaccessil@gmail.com or call 312-996-3095.