We're Proud of Our History

2002: GOALS is formed

In 2002, a group of undocumented students in East Boston High School gathered to prepare for their futures. Although, because of Massachusetts immigration laws, some students’ futures were more concrete than others. Due to their status, undocumented students were not able to afford to attend college because they were not granted in-state tuition rates. Several undocumented students decided to question the status quo, and from then on, they knew that if they wanted to make a change, they would need to organize and fight for what they believed was their right. These students then created the group GOALS, which later formed SIM. 

2005: Student Immigrant Movement (SIM) was established

The students of GOALS decided to create a legitimate organization that would fight for undocumented students, and thus the Student Immigrant Movement (SIM) was established in 2005. The organization’s mission was to train, engage, and mobilize young leaders across the state, advocating for higher education rights for all immigrant students.

2006: The “Higher Education Access For Immigrant Students” Campaign

As a project of the Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA), SIM collaborated with various groups to launch the “Higher Education Access For Immigrant Students” campaign. This culminated in the “Why We Can’t Wait” action, where over 400 supporters gathered at the Massachusetts’ State House to demand equal access to higher education for all immigrant students.

2007: Comprehensive Immigration Reform and In-State Tuition

After a failed push for Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR) in mid-2007, SIM shifted its focus to challenging state policies that created barriers for undocumented immigrant students throughout Massachusetts. By July 2007, the Board of Higher Education passed a resolution allowing certain immigrant students to receive in-state tuition.

2008: SIM Becomes an Independent Organization and Joins UWD Network

In 2008, SIM transitioned from MIRA to become an independent organization, continuing to grow and later becoming a founding member of the national United We Dream (UWD) Network, the largest undocumented youth-led organization.

2009-2010: Statewide Expansion and the Fight for the Dream Act

SIM pushed for an Executive Order to expand in-state tuition benefits for all immigrant students in 2009, leading to the formation of several chapters across the state. The fight for the Dream Act in 2010 resulted in “Coming Out of the Shadows” actions and the “Brown Is Beautiful” campaign.

2011-2012: Education Not Deportation Campaign and DACA

In 2011, SIM launched the “Education Not Deportation” campaign and the College Access Program (CAP). By 2012, SIM participated in a collaborative effort that led to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, providing Dream Act eligible students with a work permit and social security number.

2013-2016: Regional Chapters, National Policy Fights, and Dare to Dream (D2D)

In 2013, SIM launched several chapters in Worcester, New Bedford, Lynn, and East Boston, led by Regional Youth Coordinators, who were tasked with building out local teams and supporting with DACA implementation.

In 2014, SIM was actively involved in the fight to advance Deferred Action for Parents of Arrivals (DAPA) and Comprehensive Immigration Reform (CIR). As both policies were stalled at the national level, SIM doubled down on its statewide work, launching the Dare to Dream Campaign to push schools and universities to become “DREAM Friendly Schools” and to actively support undocumented students. As a result of that work, several universities, including Tufts and Suffolk, publicly came out in support and, soon after, began enrolling students and providing financial resources regardless of immigration status. 

These wins set the stage for Dare to Dream 2.0 – the legislative campaign to secure in-state tuition. In 2015, we turned out hundreds for state hearings, mobilized the universities, and immigrant youth met with legislators to advocate for the passage of in-state tuition equity. While this would not happen for many years, it was the closest we came to passing it up until then.

2016-2022: New Teams, Trump 1.0, and COVID-19

In 2016, SIM programs expanded to include the Queer Undocumented Immigrant Project team, UndocuBlack SIM, and other spaces. In response to Trump’s election, SIM launched the Defend and Defy plan, vowing to protect our community and fight back against threats at the federal level.

SIM and Unafraid Educators co-authored the Learn Without Fear Policy, which was implemented in MA at the state level through the 2020 Police Reform Bill.

During the midst of the Covid-19 Pandemic, SIM along with community partners were successful in passing the Ordinance on Surveillance Oversight and Information Sharing and also a ban on the use of Facial Recognition Technology in the city Boston. SIM leaders were also part of creating the first-ever school policy that addressed the right to information privacy.

In 2022, SIM once again took on the fight for in-state tuition, alongside Centro Presente and Brazilian Workers Center. After 20 years, we finally won in-state tuition and financial aid for immigrant students in Massachusetts!

2023-Now: Reflection, Remergence, and The Fight Against Authoritarianism

With the passage of in-state tuition, SIM’s identity was challenged, as securing this policy had been a major priority for our organization for many years. This victory allowed us the chance to explore a new role in our movement ecosystem.

With the Trump Regime coming to power in 2025, SIM has doubled down on its mission: to serve as a political home for immigrant and undocumented youth in Massachusetts. We relaunched with a new mission and vision, and an entirely new board, all former SIM leaders, ready to take on the years ahead.

As the terrain continues to shift, SIM is committed to turning the tide against authoritarianism, alongside our movement allies, because we believe all people, regardless of immigration status, race, class, or gender identity, deserve the right to live lives with dignity and respect. Join us!