Barriers to Higher Education for Undocumented Students
There are many barriers facing undocumented students as they mature out of childhood and into adulthood. While their peers may be seeking out higher education or other vocation and employment opportunities, undocumented students are left with little choice of life’s next direction as they are restricted from higher education and employment. The economic structure of the U.S. has been built on the assumption that education is a key to economic and social mobility; a key to which undocumented students are not privy. This has a profound effect on these students as well as their families, communities, and society as a whole. This paper will discuss the nature, prevalence of, and theory surrounding …show more content…
55). State and federal governments are the key entities who define undocumented immigrants, though they are not the only ones. Often, there are definitions derived from society’s cultural climate. The federal government determines who is given legal immigration status in the United States. States have some power over the details of how this plays out locally, and society helps determine who is deemed useful and worthy of legal status, which influences policy. This undocumented status has two major impacts on those who hold it. The first is an inability to legally work in the United States. This may require people to get low-paying jobs that are under the table, dangerous jobs, or other less than desirable positions. The other main impact of this status is the way in which it limits the ability for people to attain higher …show more content…
DACA allows certain undocumented immigrants who entered the country to receive this two-year work permit and exemption for deportation, allowing students to obtain a higher education. DACA requires that these undocumented students: entered the country before their 16th birthday and before June 2007, completed high school or obtained a GED, or have been honorably discharged from the armed forces or are enrolled in school. (Consideration, 2015). The second type of “Deferred Action” policy is the Deferred Action for Parent Accountability (DAPA), which is for parents of U.S. Citizens and lawful permanent residents (Deferred Action). This policy was announced on November 2014 by President Barack Obama (Deferred Action). Enacting DAPA would allow those who qualify to obtain a
There are many barriers facing undocumented students as they mature out of childhood and into adulthood. While their peers may be seeking out higher education or other vocation and employment opportunities, undocumented students are left with little choice of life’s next direction as they are restricted from higher education and employment. The economic structure of the U.S. has been built on the assumption that education is a key to economic and social mobility; a key to which undocumented students are not privy. This has a profound effect on these students as well as their families, communities, and society as a whole. This paper will discuss the nature, prevalence of, and theory surrounding …show more content…
55). State and federal governments are the key entities who define undocumented immigrants, though they are not the only ones. Often, there are definitions derived from society’s cultural climate. The federal government determines who is given legal immigration status in the United States. States have some power over the details of how this plays out locally, and society helps determine who is deemed useful and worthy of legal status, which influences policy. This undocumented status has two major impacts on those who hold it. The first is an inability to legally work in the United States. This may require people to get low-paying jobs that are under the table, dangerous jobs, or other less than desirable positions. The other main impact of this status is the way in which it limits the ability for people to attain higher …show more content…
DACA allows certain undocumented immigrants who entered the country to receive this two-year work permit and exemption for deportation, allowing students to obtain a higher education. DACA requires that these undocumented students: entered the country before their 16th birthday and before June 2007, completed high school or obtained a GED, or have been honorably discharged from the armed forces or are enrolled in school. (Consideration, 2015). The second type of “Deferred Action” policy is the Deferred Action for Parent Accountability (DAPA), which is for parents of U.S. Citizens and lawful permanent residents (Deferred Action). This policy was announced on November 2014 by President Barack Obama (Deferred Action). Enacting DAPA would allow those who qualify to obtain a