Immigration is making more than headlines, its affecting our families and neighbors close to home. For Inland Empire Immigrant Youth Collective (IEIYC), the year has become a vital opportunity to create greater unity.
“Everybody is dealing with different fears,” said Angel Fajardo, Executive Director of the Inland Empire Immigrant Youth Collective (IEIYC).
This year, the nonprofit, known for creating safe spaces for immigrant youth to express themselves and find their potential and identity, which can intersect with being undocumented, has seen a decrease in in-person participation in some of its initiatives. 
“But we’ve been in the region for a really long time,” Fajardo said with more than a hint of hope. “We are a trusted organization for the schools and teachers. I think we’re going to move in a little slower, and we’ll try to adjust so that we can come meet the students where they’re at instead of inviting them out somewhere.”
To be sure, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) actions this year have generated broad attention if not concern.
For IEIYC, recent grants like the Gates Educational Advancement Grant via Inland Empire Community Foundation felt like a “godsend.”
“We already planned to put all of our programs and campaigns on hold, but when the grant came in, we were happy to start planning again so we can still provide a space for our youth to get together,” Fajardo said. “For now, we may have smaller types of programs, but nonetheless, we will still have services and resources for students.”
Founded in 2010, the IEIYC stood out for its grassroots organizing. Its mission—”to engage youth to gain equal access to higher education and professional development and to seek justice for the immigrant community by empowering those most impacted by unjust policies”—became a kind of battle cry.
Fajardo praises the nonprofit’s approach to its objectives, which are grounded in community building, youth development, healing and restorative justice, creativity and artistic expression, and civic participation and political education.
Outreach and programming have been lifesavers in many ways.
One of the organization’s key programs is Undocumented Mentorship Academy (UMA). Created in 2017, it has engaged more than 65 UMA alumni who are now college students, graduates, professionals, and active community leaders in the region.
“UMA provides a space for undocumented youth to enjoy mentorship opportunities and foster relationships with community leaders,” Fajardo added. “These youths become civically engaged, express their creativity, enjoy healing activities, and build personal and professional development skills.” Youth are offered a stipend at the end of the program and typically leave with more meaningful experiences and connections.
“This year, we’re going to have something a little more open to any students who want the right resources,” Fajardo said. “We just want the community to feel safe. During these times, everybody’s dealing with different fears at home. We’re just happy we’re going to address some of that and give our students that space again.”
Other notable offerings from the nonprofit have been The Immigrant Youth Fellowship Program (IYF), a unique 15-week paid fellowship for first-generation, low-income immigrant and undocumented individuals. The program was designed to help increase career and professional roles in social justice.
Fajardo said it increases youth involvement with agencies worldwide. Applications for the IYP 2026 Fellowship can be found on the nonprofit’s website.
Another significant standout on the nonprofit’s site is the resources it provides, such as immigration hotlines and information on Red Cards, which help people assert their rights and defend themselves, particularly when ICE agents arrive at a home.
These cards can be printed at home. Using heavyweight paper or cardstock is encouraged.
“While we’re still doing a lot of advocacy, we want to have a space for wellness specifically for our community,” Fajardo said. “That is important to us now, too.”
Learn more about at theieiyc.org.
This story originally appeared in the Press Enterprise, October 2025.
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