Eli Lilly gave $500,000 to four different organizations that provide college scholarships to illegal immigrants in Indiana who are covered by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
The pharmaceutical company, which is based in Indianapolis, Indiana, stated that the donation seeks to “remove barriers and create more equitable, affordable post-high school education opportunities for Indiana’s growing immigrant population.”
“Lilly strongly supports the rights of immigrants, including a pathway to citizenship in the United States for Dreamers,” as well as “sensible immigration reforms that cultivate and support a diverse and skilled workforce,” the press release noted.
One of the organizations that received funding from Eli Lilly was the Indiana Undocumented Youth Alliance, whose mission is to “empower young immigrants to achieve higher education and engage in the community to demand more just and humane policies that affect undocumented families.”
The organization provides scholarships to those who are in the United States illegally, listing undocumented status as a requirement for receiving a scholarship. Their site stipulates “The scholarship is only available to undocumented students with or without Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) or Temporary Protected Status.”
The organization also seeks to “influence the design of public policy at the local, state and federal levels to radically improve the status of undocumented individuals.”
Eli Lilly also provided financial support to the Indiana Latino Institute, a nonprofit organization that works to “advance Latino educational attainment and workforce preparedness statewide through advocacy, leadership development, and culturally responsive programming.”
The organization describes itself as the “convener of Latino networks and organizations statewide,” which is “positioned to be the leader in all policy relevant to the issues impacting Latino communities throughout Indiana.”
The Indiana Latino Institute also has a scholarship program, which gives preference to “Latino students residing in Indiana who are first generation college students,” though it does not require recipients to be in the country illegally.
The Society and Friends of Colombia also received financial support from Eli Lilly. The organization “focuses on Latino education advancement, Latino youth enrichment, serving as health resource partners, and promoting the cultural values of Latinos in Indiana.” The pharmaceutical giant also listed La Plaza, another nonprofit organization, as a grant recipient.
Eli Lilly did not respond to a request for comment.