The California Dream Network (CDN) is CHIRLA’s program to mobilize and empower college students in 33 California colleges and universities for immigration reform, social justice, and equal access to education.

With 5,000 veteran trained leaders in schools across the state, CDN has led our advocacy for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program and is now moving beyond it to work with their parents and other family. CDN picks up where CHIRLA's high school WiseUp! Program leaves off, allowing students to continue building leadership and organizing skills beyond high school.

In the CDN, students from different campuses have a safe space to study policy proposals, test organizing ideas, and work out plans to achieve common goals. They also work through issues of legal status, political affiliation, gender, sexual orientation, and ethnicity. Members attend regional CDN summits and an annual retreat where they exchange ideas and come up with working plans. To get involved, contact Melody Klingenfuss at melodyk@chirla.org.

Timeline

  • Aug 5, 2020

    2003

    The California Dream Network (CDN) becomes the first network of undocumented college students in the nation

  • Aug 5, 2020

    2011

    The CDN plays a key role in passing the California Dream Act, which allows undocumented students to apply for state financial aid so they can attend college

  • Aug 5, 2020

    2019

    The CDN organizes students to attend opening arguments at the U.S. Supreme Court surrounding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. They camp for two nights outside the building, and more than 30 members witness the arguments in person

CDN Across California

  • California State University, Northridge - Dreams to be Heard
  • California State University, Dominguez Hills - Espíritu de Nuestro Futuro
  • California State University, Long Beach - Future Underrepresented Educated Leaders (FUEL)
  • California State University, Channel Islands - Channel Island Dreamers
  • California State University, Fullerton - DREAM Co-Op
  • Cal Poly Pomona - Demanda Estudiantil Para la Igualdad Educacional (DEPIE)
  • California State University, Los Angeles - Students United to Reach Goals in Education (SURGE)
  • California State University, Monterey Bay - Dreamers
  • Chico State University - Dreamers at Chico State
  • San Jose State University - Student Advocates for Higher Education (SAHE)
  • City College of San Francisco - Voices of Immigrants Demonstrating Achievement
  • Glendale Community College - Voices Organizing Immigrant Communities for Educational Success (VOICES)
  • Berkeley City College - AB 540 Task Force
  • Mount San Antonio College - Improving Dreams Equality Access and Success (IDEAS)
  • Oxnard College - Dreamers Without Borders
  • Santa Monica Community College - Improving Dreams Equality Access and Success (IDEAS)
  • Sierra College - Dream Club
  • Sonoma State University - Dreamers at SSU
  • Sacramento State University - Lead Empower and Achieve with Determination (LEAD)
  • San Francisco State University - Improving Dreams Equality Access and Success (IDEAS)
  • Ventura College - Improving Dreams Equality Access and Success (IDEAS)
  • Gavilan College - Dreamers at GCC
  • Fullerton College - Fullerton Dream Team
  • Woodland Community College - Dreamers at WCC
  • Porterville College - Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlan (MEChA)
  • San Jose City College - Dreamers at SJCC
  • Los Angeles Trade Tech College - Improving Dreams Equality Access and Success (IDEAS)
  • Sacramento City College - Dreamers at SCC
  • University of Southern California - Improving Dreams Equality Access and Success (IDEAS)
  • University of California, Merced - Student Advocates for Higher Education (SAHE)
  • University of California, Irvine - Higher Education Opportunities through Peer Empowerment for Undocumented Students (HOPE 4 US)
  • University of California, Irvine - Students Advocating for Immigrant Rights and Equity (SAFIRE)
  • University of California, Berkeley - Rising Immigrant Scholars through Education (RISE)
  • University of California, Davis
  • Scholars Promoting Education Awareness and Knowledge (SPEAK)
  • University of California, Riverside - Providing Opportunities, Dreams and Education in Riverside (PODER)
  • De Anza Community College
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OurCampaigns

Unstoppable Dreams

Unstoppable Dreams fights for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, which granted young undocumented students conditional legal status and work permits. People with DACA are our colleagues, neighbors and essential workers across the nation. Current goal: Senate passage of the Dream and Promise Act (HR6), which gives people with conditional status a path to citizenship.