Pérez and Cortés examine how undocumented Latino community college students cope with the challenges created by their legal status. They find that students experience feelings of shame, anger, despair, marginalization, and uncertainty stemming from discrimination, anti-immigrant sentiment, fear of deportation, and systemic barriers (e.g., ineligibility for financial aid). Despite moments of despair and an uncertain future, rather than become dejected, students reframe their circumstances in positive terms. Findings also highlight the importance of student advocates on campus, as well as the need to educate college personnel. The conclusion discusses the socioemotional implications of students’ ongoing legal marginality, and makes suggestions for institutional practices.

Although many undocumented high school students are demonstrated student leaders with records of outstanding academic achievement, their higher education prospects in the United States are limited due to their legal status. Many of these students enter higher education with academic and emotional challenges that need to be understood and addressed by student affairs professionals.

This study examined the civic engagement of undocumented Mexican students. Civic engagement was defined as providing a social service, activism, tutoring, and functionary work. Survey data results (n = 126) suggest that despite high feelings of rejection because of their undocumented status, part-time employment, and household responsibilities, 90% of respondents had been civically engaged. Females and students with higher academic achievement and extracurricular participation demonstrated higher civic engagement whereas older students were more likely to have participated in activism. Policy implications of undocumented Latino college student civic engagement are discussed.

My research shows that college-eligible undocumented students exhibit high levels of academic achievement, civic engagement and resilience. Many overcome academic and socioemotional barriers through social and moral support from family, peers, school agents and academic programs. As a result of the state residency tuition eligibility across the 10 states where most undocumented students reside, more than ever, community colleges and public universities are serving an important role in educating low-income, undocumented students. This article provides several research-informed suggestions for counseling professionals on how to best support higher education access for undocumented students.

This book comes focuses on the educational challenges of high achieving undocumented Latino students in the U.S.