Erik Aviles on the Interesection of Immigration and College Access 

Erik Aviles always assumed he would go to the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), but looking back, “I would only say that because I didn’t know of any others.” 

Landing at the University of Notre Dame, far from his hometown of San Antonio, took a leap of faith for both Erik and his parents, who are immigrants from Guanajuato, Mexico. Erik, who is the Campaign’s summer Policy Fellow, worked with a nonprofit organization called QuestBridge, which helps high-achieving students from low-income backgrounds apply to partner schools on early admission and receive full scholarships.  

The binding nature of early admission and the distance of Erik’s preferred schools concerned his close-knit family. “‘Why would you want to leave your family, your support system?’ seemed to be the underlying question that drove this unspoken rule with my family,” Erik recalls.   

Having no real support when it came to applying to colleges, Erik was shocked when he was accepted to Notre Dame. “Nobody reached out to me about QuestBridge, and I only ended up applying because of a letter I got in the mail about it. I decided that even though I knew it was a long shot, applying to all the top schools they partnered with, it was worth it to at least try.” When he was accepted, his mother received the news with mixed emotions. But his family, who had always encouraged him to go to college, eventually came around. 

“My path to college was very confusing and all over the place, but in the end, I’m glad everything worked out,” Erik says. He fell in love with Notre Dame. “It has taught me how to be independent, how to be more social, how to study effectively, and how to manage my time efficiently.” 

He is studying computer science and focusing on artificial intelligence and machine learning, which he sees as an asset in the pursuit of educational justice: “especially as a tool on the backend for research and development.”  

Erik was drawn to the Campaign because he saw himself reflected in the students our work supports. “I feel like I share a pretty similar backstory with some of the students we are helping navigate higher education (and I also know of people in their shoes), and the thought of being a helping hand to them, knowing that I would’ve loved a helping hand too, really stuck with me. I feel like I understand their struggles quite personally, and that pushes me,” Erik says. 

He has been researching how financial aid opportunities impact undocumented students. “Something I found interesting is how the recent ICE raids have affected applications for the California Dream Act,” Erik says. “Although students have been told that no immigration info from their application can be used against them, the number of applicants has dropped around 42% since the start of this year, all because students fear putting their family at risk of deportation. I think this is awful, and that it’s not fair that students are unable to pursue their dreams because of ICE.” 

In May 2025, the Campaign and SoCal CAN relaunched the California Undocumented Higher Education Coalition (CUHEC, originally launched in 2018) to ensure a rapid response to federal threats. Composed of more than 50 educators, students, and civil rights, business, philanthropy, and community-based organizations, CUHEC strengthens California’s workforce and economy by ensuring undocumented students can succeed in college and beyond. In 2025, the coalition’s efforts led to the passage of key policies protecting students and providing $40 million in resources and financial aid opportunities. This year, CUHEC’s policy agenda focuses on expanding healthcare access, employment opportunities, and continuing to protect students from immigration enforcement.  

As Erik works to analyze and support policies that make college dreams a reality for students facing adversity, he is also taking time to appreciate the culture and diversity of Los Angeles during his summer with the Campaign. Going to World Cup watch parties has been one of his favorite activities. 

“We went to watch the Mexico vs. Korea game in K-Town and it was absolutely electric,” he says. “I love seeing how people come together for events like these, were we’re all sharing the same passion and excitement for our country,” he says. “I of course watch the Mexico games, but I also like watching all the other teams. They are soccer powerhouses and play such at such a high level.” 

Every student deserves the chance to pursue their dreams without unnecessary barriers. By supporting the Campaign, you’re helping remove those barriers through research, advocacy, and by investing in the next generation of leaders who will continue this work. Together, we can ensure more students have the opportunity to thrive.