Beyond Dreamers

This book examines how undocumented young people navigate the transition to adulthood, drawing on more than one hundred interviews with a diverse group of undocumented young New Yorkers. Race, national origin, and social class intersect to shape different experiences of illegality, as does the mode of entry into the United States. Focusing on the large public City University of New York system, the book examines the structures and factors that create obstacles or ease the pursuit of higher education, providing a set of recommendations for college administration, staff, and faculty. It presents analysis of when and where undocumented students disclose their immigration status on campus and the consequences of status disclosure or non-disclosure. The narratives associated with the figure of the Dreamer continue to shape the undocumented student experience. A powerful political tool, it both fails to capture the experience of many under its umbrella and shapes campus policies, expectations, and even self-image of undocumented youth. The book investigates the mixed impact of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) on pay, working conditions, and opportunities for career growth, alongside the role of co-ethnic communities and licensing requirements. It considers the impact of illegality on family and romantic relationships, from exploring mixed-status sibling dynamics to tracing how the mode of entry to the United States affects status adjustment through marriage decades later. The book concludes with how undocumented young adults make plans for the future and provides analysis of the historical juncture, immigration policies, and migrant justice.