By: Alexandra Renteria
University of North Texas at Dallas
2024-2025
After the 2024 federal election, the atmosphere at the University of North Texas at Dallas (UNT Dallas) changed. For undocumented students like me, and for many of my peers from mixed-status families, uncertainty was nothing new, but this time it felt sharper and heavier. The combination of new federal rhetoric on immigration enforcement and state-level legislation limiting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives created both fear and a sudden loss of support systems.
I knew we could not simply wait for change to happen. That is how the idea for Your Rights, Your Future came to life. It was a two-part project that combined urgent community support with direct engagement in the policymaking process. One part was a Know Your Rights Workshop for immigrant families, and the other was a trip to the Texas Capitol so students could tell their stories directly to lawmakers.
Part One: Creating a Safer Space to Learn
The workshop, held on February 22, 2025, was a collaboration with Professional Opportunity Connection for All (POCA). Our goal was to give immigrant students and their families clear information about their rights, tools to prepare for interactions with immigration authorities, and trusted connections to legal and community resources.
Planning began in January. We worked closely with POCA to ensure the event was both informative and safe. The workshop was invite only, no sign-in sheet was used, and photography was kept to a minimum to protect the privacy of attendees.
Ten families attended, each receiving legal screenings, help creating family preparedness plans, and referrals for everything from HB1 visa guidance to mental health services.
One mother shared, “I was scared to even ask questions about immigration law because I thought it would put me at risk. Now I know exactly who I can call if something happens and what steps my family can take. Another participant told us, “For the first time in a long time, I feel like I have options. I am not just waiting for something bad to happen.”
Part Two: Taking Our Voices to the Capitol
If the workshop gave families tools for protection, the trip to the Texas State Capitol in Austin gave students a platform for action.
This was the first time a group from UNT Dallas had traveled to the Capitol for immigrant and marginalized student advocacy. Twenty students joined the trip, most of them visiting the Capitol for the first time.
In preparation, we held training sessions to help students share their personal stories effectively and to understand the basics of the legislative process. On the day of the trip, students met with five legislative offices, discussing the barriers created by recent DEI restrictions and sharing how these policies affected their ability to access education and feel supported on campus.
One student reflected afterward, “It was intimidating at first, but then I realized these are people whose job is to listen to us. My voice matters, and I know how to use it now.”
Another said, “I never imagined I would walk into the Capitol and speak to someone who writes the laws that impact me. Now I want to do it again, and I want to bring more students with me.”
Two legislative offices requested follow up materials and expressed interest in continuing the conversation. Ninety percent of participating students reported feeling more confident in public speaking, advocacy, and understanding the legislative process.
Why This Matters
The two parts of this project were deeply connected. The workshop addressed immediate safety and legal needs, while the Capitol trip gave students a pathway to influence long-term policy change. Both experiences built confidence, strengthened community bonds, and showed our campus that we have the power to act even when resources are limited.
Faculty and staff have already committed to seeking funding for more advocacy trips in the future. My hope is that every student who wants to take part in shaping policy will have the chance to do so.
What I Learned
As a DACA recipient, I have lived through the same fears and challenges that many of our participants face. This project reminded me that knowledge is a powerful antidote to fear, and that courage grows when we take action together.
The workshop showed me how a single conversation can change someone’s outlook. The trip to Austin reminded me that our stories belong in every room where decisions are made.
One of the students summed it up perfectly: “We went to Austin to tell our stories, but we came back knowing we could write the next chapter ourselves.”
This experience strengthened my skills in organizing, advocacy, and coalition building, and it deepened my belief that students can be powerful voices for justice.
Gratitude
I am deeply grateful to POCA, Monarcas Unidas, the UNT Dallas Student Government Association, our faculty and staff allies. I also extend my heartfelt thanks to Campus Compact, the Newman Civic Fellowship Program, and the Mini Grant initiative for providing the resources and encouragement that made this work possible.
Together, we created spaces where people could feel safe, find their voice, and take that voice to the highest levels of our state government.
Our rights and our future are worth fighting for. As long as I am part of this campus community, I will keep working to make sure our students have the knowledge, skills, and confidence to do just that.