Struggles of Undocumented Students

🏫 "Undocumented students are Americans in every way except on paper. Denying them access to education denies them the opportunity to contribute fully to a country they already call home." -Unknown

Our country is great for it's educational opportunities. However our undocumented students have it much more difficult:

1. Undocumented students are ineligible for federal financial aid (FAFSA), which makes paying for college extremely difficult.

2. Students often live in constant anxiety about being detained or deported, or having a parent taken away. This can be worse in times of immigration raids.

3. Some undocumented students or their parents may have limited English proficiency.

4. Many undocumented families face poverty, overcrowded housing, or homelessness, especially if parents work low-wage jobs.

Our undocumented students have so much they carry on their shoulders and in our classroom we do our best to make sure they feel safe and supported.

Some educators or even parents may not know how to do so. Our students need all the support they can get here are some ways we can help them:

1. Have a welcoming classroom culture where all students feel valued, regardless of background.

2. Attend school meetings and events whenever possible (parent-teacher conferences, back-to-school nights, etc.). Your child will be feel happy that you are putting in time for their education.

3. Educate your self on immigration policies, DACA, and students’ legal rights.

4. Offer extra academic support if needed, undocumented students may face language or access barriers.

5. Teach your child to be proud of their roots, language, and culture. Share stories of resilience, strength, and family history, it helps them build a strong sense of identity and self-worth.

• Undocumented students have the right to a free K–12 public education: This means undocumented children have the same right to attend public school as any other child, from kindergarten through 12th grade.
• Schools cannot legally share student records (like names, addresses, or immigration status) with immigration enforcement without a court order or subpoena.
• Under current U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) guidelines, schools are considered “sensitive locations.” This means ICE generally avoids enforcement actions (like arrests or surveillance) at:
• K–12 schools
• School bus stops
• College campuses
• School-related activities/events

UNDERSTANDING-AND-SUPPORTING-UNDOCUMENTED-MIXED-STATUS-STUDENTS-IN-SCHOOLS_FINAL.pdf

Equity in Education: Challenges Facing Undocumented Students - American School Counselor Association (ASCA)

Here are some activities that you can educate you or your student on this topic:

Areli is a Dreamer" is great book for 4th-5th grade that talks about the challenges of a DACA student. This book can open up questions for your students and can lead to important discussions.

Toolkit for "Walking Undocumented" | Learning for Justice - Students participate in a simulated experience of walking in the shoes of an undocumented immigrant, then reflect on their emotions and decisions.

Teach students about World Immigration Day with these 15 creative lesson plans - BookWidgets -Students interview family members about their migration story, map their journey, and share in class.

Helps connects students' own stories to broader immigration experiences, fostering empathy and belonging.