Thank you and Farewell to 2016 from the CMSC staff and 'El Magonista'
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As we prepare to depart with our 5th and possibly last group of the California-Mexico Dreamers Study Abroad Program, we want to remain positive, optimistic, and grateful for all the accomplishments that we celebrate as we say farewell to 2016.
The California-Mexico Studies Center is pleased to announce that on Thursday December 22nd, 2016 at 9 am we will depart from the John Wayne Airport in Orange County with the 26 participants in our 5th California-Mexico Dreamers Study Abroad Program who have been approved for Advanced Parole, and scheduled to return on January 15th, 2017.
In light of the challenges of the current political climate, we are incredibly pleased and grateful that this courageous group of Dreamers are determined to study abroad in their native Mexico and take part in this once in a lifetime experience.
The CMSC's success in providing to over 100 Dreamers this opportunity would not have been possible without the vital support from Congressman Alan Lowenthal, Congressman-elect Lou Correa, California State University, Long Beach, Juntos Podemos/Together We Can, IME BECAS, Hermandad Mexicana, and L.A. Consul General Carlos Garcia de Alba and the assistance from the Mexican Consulate in Los Angeles.
CMSC's HIGHLIGHTS OF 2016:
A YEAR IN PERSPECTIVE
JANUARY
On January 7, 2016, our Winter 2015 California-Mexico Dreamers Study Abroad participants visited Universidad Autonoma del Estado de Morelos (UAEM)
FEBRUARY
On February 6, 2016, the Winter 2015 California-Mexico Dreamers reunited at CSU Long Beach to share their testimonies and experiences with other DACA-mented students.
MARCH
On March 21, 2016 the California-Mexico Studies Center joined the Future Underrepresented Educated Leaders (FUEL) to host a vigil in honor of Marco Antonio Firebaugh's 10th anniversary of his passing on March 21st, 2006.
APRIL
On April 25, 2016, the CMSC hosted the Policy Roundtable and Community Forum on Dreamers and U.S. Citizen Children exiled in Mexico and in Central America, chaired by Congressman Alan Lowenthal at CSULB.
MAY
On May Day 2016, the CMSC hosted the first Marco Antonio Firebaugh Dreamers Study Abroad Fund celebration in honor of Marco's life and legacy.
JUNE
On June 28, 2016, Prof. Armando Vazquez-Ramos guided El Rancho High School students to CSULB on a class field trip for his Introduction to Chicano Studies course that offered CSULB college-credit to ERHS students during the summer.
JULY
On July 26, 2016, the Summer 2016 California-Mexico Dreamers Study Abroad Program, departed with 35 participants to Mexico City from John Wayne Airport.
AUGUST
The Summer 2016 California-Mexico Dreamers Study Abroad Program participants visited Teotihuacan as part of their 24-day travel-study trip from July 26, 2016 to August 16, 2016.
SEPTEMBER
On September 24, 2016, CMSC staff joined the Dreamers for Lou4Congress campaign.
OCTOBER
On October 13th, 2016, the CMSC joined FUEL to celebrate the Marco Antonio Firebaugh Tribute Night to observe his 50th birthday along with his mother and family at CSULB.
NOVEMBER
On November 17, 2016, the CMSC and el Colegio de La Frontera Norte (COLEF) held the International Seminar on Migration and Public Policy: Challenges Facing Immigrants in the US and Mexico in 2017 in Tijuana, B.C. at the main COLEF campus.
DECEMBER
Finally, the CMSC proudly selected the 28 Dreamers who will be traveling to Mexico from December 22, 2016 to January 15, 2017 as part of the Winter 2016 California-Mexico Dreamers Study Abroad Program.
We welcome the new year, and wish you the best to you and your family, in spite of the challenges facing immigrants in the United States and Mexico in 2017.
With love,
The CMSC Team,
