Conceptualizing the undocumented college student's legal status.

Abstract

Undocumented students in pursuit of a college education face a unique intersection of conflicting identities: one that potentially gives them a higher societal status by joining the social category of “college student,” and one that is associated with a social stigma that comes from the label of “undocumented.” Higher education institutions provide a place for undocumented students to navigate their legal status identity, make sense of it, shape it, and define it. In addition, the impact college has on a student’s social status can profoundly affect their life through opportunities for movement within society. This research study explored the following question: What is the role of college in how an undocumented student defines status ownership?