Techqueria is committed to supporting the Latiné tech community while maintaining ethical partnerships. In early 2024, we revised our partnership policy after gathering input from staff, board members, community partners, chapter directors, and the broader community. Guided by our values of being Insights Driven and Community First, here are the key points of our updated policy:

1. Defining ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) Support

• Companies directly supporting ICE through custom products, financial contributions, or full investment are not eligible for partnership.
• Companies whose general products are licensed by ICE are evaluated differently and may still be considered.
• A living document will outline companies we will not work with, updated biannually to reflect current information.

2. Accepting Funds

• Techqueria may accept funding from companies whose products are licensed by ICE, provided the funding does not compromise our advocacy for DACA or against ICE.

3. Advocacy and Engagement

• We actively work with Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) in these companies to encourage change from within.
• Techqueria uses partnerships to influence company policies and promote values that benefit the Latiné community.

4. Member Input

• Members’ feedback will guide partnership decisions to ensure alignment with community needs and values.

5. Mitigating Harm

• Techqueria will:
  • Vet potential partners’ data practices to ensure no harm comes to our members.
  • Ensure resources received are used to support and uplift the community.
  • Provide support to ERG members advocating for change in their organizations.

6. Maximizing Impact

• Funds from partnerships will support programming and scholarships for undocumented individuals, including DREAMers, with plans to launch these initiatives by FY26.
• Partnerships provide opportunities to advocate for systemic change within companies.

7. Inclusivity and Support

• Techqueria supports ERG members in companies with ICE ties, empowering them to push for positive changes internally.

Commitment to Progress

This policy strikes a balance between sustainability and advocacy, ensuring resources benefit our members while upholding our values. It will be revisited annually with community input to remain aligned with Techqueria’s mission.