Mediating Illegality: Federal, State, and Institutional Policies in the Educational Experiences of Undocumented College Students

• In Event: 2174 - Immigration, Federalism, and Integration in U.S. States and Localities

Abstract

Scholarship on immigration federalism has established how local, state, and federal policies govern the everyday lives of undocumented immigrants. This work documents how states and localities have mediated illegality by adopting pro-immigrant policies. We build on this framework to suggest that institutional policies, such as those enacted by universities, work alongside state efforts to incorporate 1.5 generation undocumented young adults. Drawing primarily on 184 interviews with undocumented college students attending the University of California, we explore how federal, state, and institutional policies work together to mediate the consequences of illegality. We find that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and state-funded financial aid facilitate the integration of undocumented students by lowering financial barriers and enabling greater levels of social and academic participation. Although federal laws contribute to persistent barriers, particularly to academic achievement and career preparation, additional institutional level policies may still be able to further intervene.

Authors

• Martha Arhemi Morales Hernandez, University of California-Irvine

• Daniel Millan, University of California-Irvine

• Daisy Vazquez Vera, University of California-Los Angeles