“Delayed Transitions: Navigating Legal Violence and Illegality Among Undocumented College Graduates”

Cindy Barahona, Ph.D. Student | Sociology

Abstract:

Undocumented students in the United States face multifaceted challenges in higher education, but little research has been done examining their transition out of college. This research examines the experiences of recently graduated undocumented students, both with and without DACA, as they navigate the transition out of college. Drawing on the concepts of legal violence and transition to illegality, the study aims to answer two main research questions: 1) How do recently graduated undocumented students with and without DACA experience structural and symbolic violence in their transition out of college? 2) In what ways is their experienced structural and symbolic violence impacting or delaying a transition to illegality? Using a Participatory Action Research (PAR) approach and Narrative Inquiry methodology, longitudinal data was collected through three waves of interviews from 2021 to 2023. Findings from this study offer insights into the hurdles faced by undocumented graduates, including the barriers to accessing opportunities post-college and the internalized stigmas they navigate. This research contributes to the understanding of the intersection of legal violence, education, and undocumented status, providing a nuanced perspective on the transition out of college for this population. By centering the voices and experiences of undocumented students, this study aims to inform policies and practices that better support their pathways beyond higher education, ultimately advocating for a more inclusive environment for all.

The Colloquium Series offers Glasscock Center Fellows an opportunity to discuss a work-in-progress with faculty and graduate students from different disciplines. Each colloquium begins with the presenter’s short (10-15 minute) exposition of the project, after which the floor is open for comments and queries. The format is by design informal, conversational, and interdisciplinary.

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