The University of Arizona quietly took down the website for its Immigrant Student Resource Center without immediately offering a replacement, raising questions about how students can access information and services.

The center was recently renamed AGAVE, short for Advocacy, Growth, Access, Voice and Empowerment, in response to Department of Education guidance that could lead to funding cuts for universities that don’t comply with new restrictions on DEI.

A UA spokesperson did not initially respond to Tucson Spotlight’s questions about whether the website would be restored or rebranded under the new name, instead providing a general statement about the campus center that formerly housed the program.

“The Thrive Center provides resource connections, support, and engagement opportunities for all students, including first-generation, international, and migrant students,” UA spokesman Mitch Zak wrote in an email.

The Thrive Center’s website says its mission is to “support students as they successfully navigate through, excel in, and graduate from” the UA, prepared for life after college. It does not include any references to or resources for immigrant students.

After a follow-up from Tucson Spotlight noting the lack of response, Zak said the new website would be live by the beginning of the fall semester.

“Student services continue to be accessible through the Thrive Center,” he said. “There was never any disruption in services. We encourage any student who has questions or needs support to contact the Thrive Center.”

On May 20, a week before the University of Arizona shared plans to consolidate seven cultural resource centers,  the Immigrant Student Resource Center announced on its social media pages the name change to AGAVE, attributing the shift to current political pressures.

“We want to acknowledge the care, time, and heart that so many students, staff, and community members poured into building the (Immigrant Student Resource) name and identity. We carry that legacy forward with deep respect and gratitude,” the statement said.

But the center’s announcement about its name change did not mention that the website would be disabled or that AGAVE would not have a website of its own. Internet archive the Wayback Machine recorded its last snapshot of the website on April 10.

“We stand in unwavering support of our immigrant and undocumented students, recognizing the unique challenges you may be navigating during these times,” according to a message on the archived homepage, which is no longer accessible via the website. “Our center is committed to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment where you can feel safe, valued, and empowered to thrive academically, personally, and professionally.”

The post encouraged students to prioritize their mental and emotional well-being, “connect with the resources designed to support you,” and reach out to the center’s team for guidance or assistance.

“Together, as a  community, we will continue to uplift one another and create spaces that celebrate resilience, diversity, and hope,” the message said. “You are not alone, and we are here to support you every step of the way. YOU BELONG and you are deserving of humanity!”

A search of the Thrive Center’s website revealed two former Immigrant Student Resource Center staffers on the “Meet Our Staff” page: Jessica Martinez and Yoneri Bueno-Diaz.

The description of their roles differs from their previous titles at the center. Martinez, who was previously an immigrant student support coordinator, is now an outreach and advocacy coordinator.

Bueno-Diaz, who used to be a graduate assistant for immigrant student resources, now works as a graduate assistant for outreach and advocacy.

Martinez told Tucson Spotlight that AGAVE will announce the launch of its new website on Instagram once it’s complete. The rebranded Instagram page has been scrubbed of any mention of the Immigrant Student Resource Center and all posts and reels prior to the name change announcement.

The center’s mission was to help recruit and retain students from immigrant and refugee backgrounds, including students with DACA protection, as well as those who are undocumented,  have Temporary Protected Status or refugee status, plus students from families with mixed immigration statuses.

International students make up 3.3% of the student body, or a total of 3,639 students, according to fall 2024 enrollment data. That’s an increase of nearly 1,000 students since 2015.

Sarah Arellano is a journalism major at the University of Arizona and Tucson Spotlight intern. Contact her at saraharellano@arizona.edu.

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