Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

PFC: Immigrant and International Student Justice

Charge

The PCC Immigrant and International Student Justice alliance is charged with affirming the college’s commitment to all students and members of the PCC community, regardless of country of origin or immigration status. This team is also charged with helping PCC respond to any anti-immigrant sentiments, laws, or policies that arise. The team keeps the college informed of emerging immigration and refugee justice issues, helps respond to any anti-internationalization efforts, and provides resources to help support immigrant, refugee and asylee, undocumented, and international students and community members.

Values Statement

PCC values our diverse community and affirms the contributions that immigrants, refugees, asylees, and people from various national origins have made to PCC, to the state of Oregon and to the world. PCC is committed to creating a healthy and thriving community by helping secure the full human rights of all community members. Our diverse communities deserve dignity, restoration, and respect, and PCC stands in solidarity with our immigrant and international communities.

Resources

Here are some of the things PCC is doing to support our immigrant and international students and community:

• Dreamers Resource Center– PCC’s DRC provides a safer space and resources for our undocumented and DACAmented community members
• Office of International Student Services– PCC’s OISS is a one-stop shop for all F-1 international student needs (recruitment, admission, orientation, student life, SEVIS advising, etc.).
• Sanctuary College Policy– PCC is a sanctuary college committed to making PCC a safe space, and doing all we can to protect student rights and privacy under the law.
• Campus Multicultural Centers– Founded to address institutional racism and the unique needs of students of color at PCC.
• College Assistance Migrant Program– PCC’s CAMP supports students from migrant and seasonal farm worker backgrounds during their first year in college by providing financial assistance and support services to prepare them for university transfer.
• PCC CLEAR Clinic– The CLEAR Clinic provides free DACA renewal legal assistance (among other services) and referrals to full-service immigration attorneys for other legal needs.
• Sanctuary College Policy– PCC is a sanctuary college committed to making PCC a safe space, and doing all we can to protect student rights and privacy under the law.
• PCC ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) Program– PCC’s ESOL program serves the English-language needs of adult refugees, immigrants, F-1 international students, permanent residents and U.S. citizens alike.
• Spanish GED Program– PCC’s Spanish GED® Program offers classes in Washington County and Southeast Portland that prepare students to take the Spanish-language version of the GED® exam.
• Transiciones Oeste – is a strength- based program that offers a supportive learning community tailored to Latina women transitioning to college. Their purpose is to help women identify and navigate obstacles to better ensure college success. This program empowers women through identity/career exploration and decision making-skill development.
• PCC Women’s Resource Center– WRC staff are here to offer connection, resources, and advocacy to support the success of all women and gender minority students. All genders welcome.
• PCC Queer Resource Center– The Portland Community College Queer Resource Centers provide advocacy, education, leadership development, programming, and retention services for students with marginalized genders and sexualities to create an inclusive and intersectional campus climate promoting gender justice, sexual liberation, and equity for all people.
• PDX Bridge– Free program that helps students who have experienced foster care, homelessness, or adjudication find their pathway to college and a career, with the support of a college success coach and a community of peers
• PCC High School Programs– Programs are for students who have not yet completed a high school diploma or GED to get a head start on college. Programs also support ESOL students ages 16-21 in participating school districts.
• Future Connect– Future Connect is a scholarship and support program for students who identify as first-generation or low-income, focused on eliminating barriers to college, and provide students with on-going support throughout their time at PCC.
• Illumination Project– PCC’s innovative student leadership and education program designed to foster a climate of equality, compassion, justice, and respect for all people in the PCC academic community and the community-at-large.
• PCC Office of Equity and Inclusion– The Office of Equity and Inclusion is committed to creating a college climate that demonstrates PCC’s commitment to civil rights, diversity, equity, and inclusion. OEI investigates claims of discrimination and harassment and provides training, tools, and policies to avoid and address these issues.
• Report an incident– How to report an incident of harrasment, discrimination at PCC, or care or concern for a student.
• PCC Antiracist Educators Group A group of PCC Community members who are taking active antiracist actions.
• Internationalization Initiative– A group of PCC faculty and staff that helps instructors internationalize their curriculum, provides opportunities and services to develop intercultural communication knowledge and skills, speed culturing activities, a speaker series, and mini-grants for faculty.
• EAP– PCC’s Employee Assistance Program provides services to help PCC employees privately resolve problems that may interfere with work, family, and other important areas of life.
• Student Counseling– PCC offers free, short-term counseling to currently enrolled students (excluding Community Education)
• PCC Outreach and Advocacy Project– Provides confidential support services to students who have experienced harm and/or gender based violence, including safety planning, exploring reporting options, referrals to assistance programs, connection to campus and community based resources, emotional support, and more.

In addition, here are some community resources available outside PCC:

Questions, concerns, or resources you would like to add? Contact Luz De Villarroel or Leni Tupper.