Living the Dream: From Undocumented Immigrant to Educator

• In Event: 65.081 - Poster Session 14
  In Poster Session: 65.081-3 - Poster Session: Legal and Judicial Issues for Underserved Populations

Abstract

Every year children arrive in the United States as undocumented immigrants. Their opportunities to pursue their American dream are limited by the US immigration system. Immigration issues are compounded by a lack of access to higher education at affordable rates. Currently only 16 states allow undocumented students to pay in-state tuition rather than international student tuition. Even if they are able to graduate, they face with immigration laws that limit their ability to work. This qualitative study of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients working as educators and the lived stories of participants’ journeys to the US, through the education system in both their home countries and in the US, their struggles and triumphs, and their transition to teachers.

Author

• Kathleen M. Everling, The University of Texas - Tyler