
Request for Undocumented Student Support
About Us
The Undocumented Student Program at Imperial Valley College serves all students, faculty and staff who identify as undocumented, AB 540, DACA and those with mixed-status families. We strongly advocate for the rights of our undocumented community and work towards creating a better climate for our undocumented community on our campus.
We are located in the Student Affairs Office (Building 1000), office 1000-B. For immediate assistance please call 760-355-6509 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Contact Us

760-355-6509
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Your Undocumented Students Program Staff
Yareli Rivera-Suamataia, M.A
Director, Student Development and Activities DREAM Liaison 📱 760-355-6509 ✉️ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Carlos A. Fitch
Outreach Specialist, Undocumented Students Program 📱 760-355-6146 ✉️ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Gabriel Ingar
Student Assistant, Undocumented Students Program 📱 760-355-6146 ✉️ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
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Services and Events
Welcome From The Director
At Imperial Valley College, we are committed to the support of students from diverse immigration statuses. We recognize and support Undocumented, AB 540, DACAmented and mixed-status students through a variety of services to enhance your educational experience. I am happy to meet with you, one on one, to further create pathways of success in your time at Imperial Valley College and look into future plans and how we can contribute to such plans. Within the department, we provide an equity-driven service, always believing in your potential as a student.
Immigration Legal Services
The Higher Education Legal Services (HELS) initiative is a unique opportunity for students, staff, and faculty at local colleges to access personalized Immigration Legal Services from highly qualified legal practitioners. JFS Immigration Attorneys and Department of Justice Representatives are available at local schools to provide culturally-competent, trauma-informed, and reliable expertise to the campus community.
Services include:
- Immigration eligibility consultations
- DACA renewal
- Naturalization
- Family-based immigration
- Know Your Rights sessions
- Emergency Planning & Safety Preparedness
- Other immigration services
Watch Informational Video Here:
Upcoming FREE HELS Presentations
FS HELS - Conozca sus Derechos
Nuestras posibilidades de encontrarnos con un oficial de inmigration son mayores viviendo en una comunidad junto a la frontera. El equipo del programa de Higher Education Legal Services (HELS) de JFS le invita a nuestra presentación sobre 'Conozca sus Derechos'. Los derechos civiles y básicos bajo la Constitucion de los Estados Unidos La Constitución aplica a todos a pesar de su estatus migratorio. HELS explique sus derechos básicos y un plan de preparación familiar en caso de que usted o su(s) ser querido(s) estén expuestos a una situación desafortunada.
Date and Time: Jan 19, 2023 05:00 PM
How to Pay for College
California Dream Act Service Incentive Grant Program
Community Resources
San Diego & Imperial Small Business Development Center
Employee rights (You have rights regardless of immigration status)
College Mental Health/ Counseling
- Mental Health Counseling Services at the IVC Student Health Center provides short-term individual, couples, family, and group therapy to currently enrolled students.
- Hours of operation are Monday-Friday from approximately 9:00 a.m. -4:00 p.m. Provider availability may vary during those times.
- You may contact us at (760) 355-6310 or by visiting us in Room 1536, Next to the Assessment Center (400 Building). Click here to visit the website.
10 Steps to Support IVC Undocumented Students
1. Be Visible and Supportive: Update your office and instructional setting to be supportive of undocumented students. Display support signs in your office!
2. Know the Safe Spaces: Check the safe and welcoming spaces for undocumented students in campus.
3. Do Not Force Disclosure: With your students, be patient and create an environment of trust, do not force status disclosure. Wait until the student is ready!
4. The Student is First: Always remember -THE STUDENT IS FIRST- listen to them and be supportive. If the trust is built, ask them to explain their narrative.
5. Campus Resources: Visit the website and check the resources available for our undocumented students.
6. 1-1 Services: All cases are different, make sure to understand the student's situation and refer them correctly.
7. An Umbrella Term: Familiarize and understand the term "undocumented" as well as AB 540, DACA and mixed-status. This will help to understand the student's narrative.
8. Check HELS Immigration Updates: For all immigration updates and policies, revise the different changes pointed out by Higher Education Legal Services.
9. Keep Up to Date: Visit the Undocumented Student Program website and social media. Attend the workshops, events and trainings!
10. Advocate as an Ally! Advocate for change in campus to enhance the educational experience of undocumented students.