21st Century Scholar

The next Congress and presidential administration might finally deliver the Dream Act or comprehensive immigration reform. In the meantime, DACA will undoubtedly impact the undocumented student experience in significant ways. Although an estimated 2 million young adults may be eligible for it, many will not be able benefit due to past legal troubles that disqualify [...]

Not surprisingly, the bulk of the academic research on undocumented students in recent years has focused on their activism. Their ability to influence policy at the local and national level continues to inspire academic interest in understanding how marginalized youth become empowered and how their efforts evolve into a social movement. Recently, it feels like [...]

A significant trend in the research on undocumented students is the focus on academic achievement and the ways in which the fortunate few that have been able to pass through the eye of the needle to access higher education. Various studies chronicle the daunting odds overcome by undocumented students who enter and graduate from college. [...]

Research studies conclusively highlight the positive effects of in-state tuition legislation on undocumented student higher education enrollment. We also know about the challenges students face once they enroll. Studies suggest that faculty and staff often hold prejudice views against undocumented students. In states with in-state tuition policies, higher education staff that disagree with the policy [...]

The first research presentation I gave on my work with undocumented students was in 2006 in Anaheim, California at the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE) annual conference. My graduate students and I wondered how the audience would react. Would there be a fierce debate? What would we do with a hostile audience [...]