Navigating Youth to Adulthood: Educational Experiences of Undocumented Multilingual Immigrant Girls

• In Event: Situating Language and Literacy in the Navigation of Intersectional Identity

Abstract

This critical qualitative case study examines the educational challenges faced by undocumented Black and Brown teenage girls from Latin America and the Caribbean who have aged out of traditional school settings. Grounded in Critical Race Theory (CRT), Intersectionality, and Transformative Justice, it addresses two primary research questions: (1) What are the experiences of undocumented teenage girls in K-12 public schools? (2) How do current anti-immigration and "English-Only" educational policies affect the lives of these undocumented girls? Through in-depth interviews, this study highlights structural barriers imposed by hidden anti-migration policies in schools. The findings underscore the need for culturally, migration, and linguistically responsive practices. The study concludes with recommendations for K-12 educators to create a more inclusive and equitable environment.

Author

• Michelle Angelo-Rocha, University of South Florida