Many people relocate to another country in search of better economic opportunities and superior education. In particular, undocumented students often have high academic aspirations to break cycles of poverty and seek to do something truly meaningful with their lives. Mental health is a significant public health issue in the United States, especially for young adults. In addition to the mental health challenges of being a young adult, there are also the challenges associated with being a student, which is even more difficult for those with an uncertain immigration status.
As there is no federal law prohibiting undocumented students from attending college or university, many institutions review all prospective students under the same admissions criteria regardless of status. Enriquez notes that undocumented students' well-being is often impacted by the additional stressors of limited financial resources due to restricted job opportunities, fear of deportation for self and others, uncertainty about the future, and stigmatization.
The pursuit of education while undocumented is not the same for every undocumented student, as several factors create a unique learning experience or hurdle.
Cha found significant disadvantages faced by students arriving at a later age than those who have had the majority of their K schooling completed in the United States. Notably, those arriving in their late teens to early twenties often had below-level course placement, less time to learn the US education system, and often a lack of access to ethnically-similar peers outside of ESL courses. Established in , the Deferred Action Childhood Arrival DACA program provides renewable two-year access to work permits and protection from deportation to approximately , immigrants in the United States.
Citizenship and Immigration Services website. Have continuously resided in the U. Have been physically present in the U. Currently enrolled in school or have returned to school , graduated, obtained certificate of completion e. Have not been convicted of a felony offense, a significant misdemeanor offense, multiple misdemeanor offenses, or otherwise pose a threat to national security or public safety.
