The Coalition of Advocates for Undocumented Student’s Education (C.A.U.S.E.) was born in the winter of 2018, when students from various Chicago Public Schools came together with a shared mission: to support their peers within the immigration spectrum. It all started with open discussions about what each student club was doing to address the unique needs of immigrant students. The heart of CAUSE has always been driven by the voices of students themselves, gathered through anonymous surveys.

The first version of the survey gave rise to a powerful tool: a list of the Top 10 Recommendations for improving support in schools. These recommendations directly reflected how students felt their schools and administration could better serve them, highlighting the need for stronger social and emotional support, staff training, and the creation of safe, welcoming environments, among other priorities.

Since then, CAUSE has worked closely with advisors to ensure that these essential supports are accessible to all students who need them.