U.S. Africa Institute Partners with HBCUs to Support Undocumented, Refugee, and Immigrant Students
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Posted By: Dr. Tadios Belay on August 01, 2025 Across the country, undocumented, refugee, and immigrant students are striving for an education—but facing barriers at nearly every turn. From ineligibility for federal financial aid to a lack of legal protections and culturally relevant support, many of these students navigate college with limited resources and even fewer advocates. At U.S. Africa Institute, we believe this must change—and that Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) are uniquely equipped to lead that change. Undocumented and immigrant students represent a vital and growing segment of our college communities. Yet too often, they are excluded from institutional support, planning and policymaking. This leads to systemic gaps where students struggle to access basic resources, find allies on campus, or even feel a sense of belonging. But there’s hope—and it starts with the HBCU legacy. HBCUs have a Legacy of Inclusion and Justice HBCUs have long served as anchors for communities pushed to the margins. They were founded to create pathways to education and equity when no one else would. That same legacy makes them powerful leaders in supporting today’s undocumented and immigrant students. That’s why the U.S. Africa Institute has launched an initiative focused on empowering HBCUs to embed long-term, sustainable support systems for these student populations. We’ve worked with institutions like the Texas HBCU Consortium and the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), which together represent 46 HBCUs across the country—and we’re ready to build on that foundation. We’re engaging HBCU leadership to implement six key strategies that foster long-term, systemic change. First, we’re supporting policy development that advances tuition equity, nondiscrimination protections, and inclusive campus policies for undocumented students. Second, we’re helping in the establishment of campus infrastructure by supporting institutions create dedicated resource centers and appoint staff to support immigrant and undocumented student services. Third, we’re focused on capacity building through targeted training for faculty, staff, and administrators on immigration-related legal issues, trauma-informed care, and culturally responsive practices. Fourth, we’re enhancing data and research systems to ensure campuses can disaggregate student data by immigration status and race—enabling more equitable planning and resource distribution. Fifth, we’re fostering cross-institution collaboration through the HBCU Connect providing space for peer learning, policy coordination, and shared services. Lastly, we’re advancing national advocacy by engaging with networks like UNCF and the Texas HBCU Consortium to amplify HBCU leadership in national conversations on immigration and higher education. Our Impact This initiative isn’t just about launching programs—it’s about reshaping the systems that determine who gets access, support, and opportunity in higher education. At its core, this work is about building lasting change across HBCU campuses and beyond. We aim to drive institutional policy reform that embeds equity and inclusion into the very fabric of HBCUs—resulting in tuition equity, nondiscrimination protections, and privacy safeguards for undocumented students. These changes won’t be temporary fixes; they’ll be codified into campus policies to ensure sustainability and impact for years to come. Another key goal is to increase the visibility and institutional support of undocumented, refugee, and immigrant students. Too often, these students are hidden within broader categories or entirely left out of the data and decision-making processes. By improving data collection and disaggregation, HBCUs can better understand their needs and design tailored programs and resources that truly meet them where they are. Ultimately, we aim to see more students persisting, graduating, and thriving—with the support they need to complete their education and pursue their goals. This initiative is also about cultivating a national network of HBCUs committed to immigrant justice, working together to share resources, learn from one another, and advocate for change at the local, state, and federal levels. At the center of this movement will be a sustainable HBCU Corner/Hub, a lasting institutional platform that will coordinate shared services, drive policy alignment, facilitate cross-campus collaboration, and amplify the collective voice of HBCUs in shaping inclusive education policy. Through this initiative, we are not only supporting students—we are building an infrastructure of equity that will strengthen HBCUs and uplift entire communities. A Call to Action As we move forward, we recognize that transforming institutions and systems requires more than good intentions—it demands bold collaboration, sustained commitment, and collective leadership. That’s why we’re extending an open invitation to HBCU presidents and senior leadership, student advocates, philanthropic institutions, partner organizations, and national allies to join us in this vital effort to reimagine higher education through a lens of inclusion, equity, and justice. This is not just about addressing gaps—it’s about building a new framework where undocumented, refugee, and immigrant students are not only acknowledged but actively supported, celebrated, and empowered. These students are already part of our campus communities. They are in our classrooms, leading student organizations, and contributing to the vibrant diversity of our institutions. Yet too often, they remain underserved and invisible within the systems meant to support them. Now is the time to act. We must build coalitions that reflect our shared values, leverage our collective strengths, and drive meaningful change at every level—from institutional policy to national advocacy. Whether you are a university administrator ready to shift campus policy, a funder seeking to support transformative work, or an advocate looking to elevate student voices—there is a role for you in this movement. Let’s come together to ensure that undocumented, refugee, and immigrant students are not just surviving on our campuses—but thriving. The future of higher education depends on it. If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Dr. Tadios Belay
From Los Angeles, CA Other College... class of Member Since July 2025 |
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