Together We Learn

Over 223,000 migrants and asylum seekers have arrived in New York City since the spring of 2022. At the start of the 2023 school year, around 20,000 migrant students were enrolled in New York City’s public school system.

CUP Teaching Artist Marquisha Lu collaborated with students from the Bronx School for Law, Government and Justice in the winter and spring of 2024 to explore the impact of the arrival of over 20,000 migrant students on the New York City public education system. To understand this issue, students talked to community members, interviewed stakeholders working on the issue, and explored photography and video.

They gathered what they learned and created a short documentary to teach others about the experiences of newcomers in New York City, how policies impact the basic needs and mental health of migrant students, and how New York City schools can help foster a sense of belonging for newcomers.

Students

Aniyah Browne
Ares Deleon
Fima Ferdaus
Darbrick de Jesus Santos
Yolinett Lopez
Nicholle Martinez
Janior Mejia
Josue Morales
Modesto Ramos
Christian Rodriguez
Joshua Rodriguez
Laila Rodriguez
Samuel Rodriguez
Xavier Rojas
Lalilanna Turbides
Jasmine Vergas
Maryam Waggeh

Funding Support

This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and Council Member Althea Stevens.

Special Thanks

Juan Diaz, Policy Associate at Citizens Committee for Children of New York

Tatyana Kleyn, Professor, CUNY-Initiative on Immigration and Education

Alejandra Vázquez Baur, Policy Fellow at The Century Foundation

Eleni Zimiles, Social Worker at Newcomers High School