CCR Condemns UCLA Students Funding Illegal Immigrants

The California College Republicans condemn the Undergraduate Students Association Council (USAC) at UC Los Angeles for funding the salaries of “undocumented” Council Members who lose their legal work authorization in the United States. 

On March 1st, the Daily Bruin reported that “The fund would allocate $23,000, which is equivalent to two council members’ yearly stipends, from the USAC surplus funds to pay future council members who do not have work authorization.” It went on to explain that “because the University of California’s payroll system cannot hire students without work authorization, undocumented students without Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals status cannot receive stipends as wages.” The measure seeks to get around this by paying the Council members “through financial aid.”

Today, March 4th, the Daily Bruin reported that “USAC voted March 2 in favor of the creation of the fund.” 

This is not the first instance of funding workarounds. In 2020, the Daily Bruin reported that “[Council Member] Guerra Martinez was able to receive her stipend Monday in a lump sum through the UCLA Undocumented Student Program, which provides resources and services to undocumented students. USAC allocated the remainder of her stipend to the program, which was then able to grant her the money as a scholarship.”

“USAC, which already overcharges us, has orchestrated the funneling of our student fees to pay illegals who don’t have authorization to work. This is treason in the highest degree. ICE needs to investigate this,” said the Bruin Republicans at UCLA.

CCR stands against diverting taxpayer and legal student funding to foreigners illegally in the country, and — now — potentially receiving salaries in an illegal or unethical manner. This is an egregious slap in the face to those here and able to work legally in the United States. We join the Bruin Republicans in calling for an investigation by ICE and other immigration services to determine the legality of these acts.

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