Attendees received free meals, groceries, and information about on-campus resources.
By Dylan Smith, Managing Editor
Food insecurity is an issue for millions of college students nationwide. Undocumented students face even greater challenges, as they are often ineligible for federal nutrition assistance programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). In California, 45 percent of noncitizens without legal permanent resident status in the U.S. are affected by food insecurity.
According to the California Student Aid Commission, food insecurity has worsened in recent years. In its 2022-2023 survey, 66 percent of students reported struggling to access enough food—up from 39 percent in 2018-2019.
Undocumented students at Cal State Dominguez Hills are no exception. On Mar. 20, a coalition of campus organizations came together at the Palm Courtyard to provide meals, groceries, and support to Toros in need.
Breaking Barriers: UndocuToros Rising was co-sponsored by the Immigrant Justice Center (IJC), La Casita, Associated Students, Inc, and the Office of Sustainability. The afternoon event featured games, raffles, and activities like drawing and bingo, with prizes including gift cards and grocery bags. More than 40 grocery bags were distributed, and attendees enjoyed hot meals and live music.
Rony Castellanos Raymundo, the program director for La Casita, noted that many undocumented students are ineligible for services like CalFresh. CSUDH College Corps Fellows partnered with the La Casita and the IJC to organize the event while offering direct support. The program supports community needs while promoting academic success, career readiness, and leadership development.
“I think there’s different ways to show student activism, so some essentially look like maybe going to protest, sometimes it looks like maybe googling what’s going on in immigration right now,” Raymundo told The Bulletin, adding that people should seek out credible sources and avoid those that promote fear.
Raymundo encouraged students to learn about immigration issues and the legal services available on campus to better support their undocumented peers.
College Corps Fellows Iliana Bonta, Remy Castillo, and Elvis Hernandez led the organizing efforts. Bonta said it was important for campus to celebrate undocumented Toros, especially during what she described as “hard political times.”
Hernandez said a major challenge for undocumented Toros is limited job opportunities, especially in the current climate, making it difficult to earn steady income for basic needs like food.
“They might think, ‘Oh, if we get help, we might get deported,’” Hernandez explained, adding that undocumented Toros should know there are supportive resources available at CSUDH.
Teddy’s Pantry, now located in the College of Education building, is one such campus resource—offering free food to students so they can focus on their studies instead of where to find their next meal.
Another resource, Hernandez noted, is L.A. Care, which supports food banks, emergency services, and housing assistance.
IJC Interim Director Arlin Gonzalez described the event as an important show of community and she hoped it gave students a chance to step away from academic stress.
She said: “I think it’s just these events are just so meaningful to me as much as I hope that they are to the students.”