by Elmer Ventura

 The experiences of undocumented college students are unified as a set of unique challenges where they are impacted financially, academically, socially and personally. Once these students engage in their journey for higher education, they tend to encounter many challenges that hinder their ability to engage and benefit from those educational opportunities fully. You may wonder what I mean by this, well let us start with the first challenge financial concerns. This is a major concern for these students as they lack access to federal student loans and grants, and their only option is to rely mainly on private scholarships or even work multiple jobs to pay for their education. This financial strain leads to long hours spent working rather than studying which in many cases impacts their academic performances. Furthermore, this lack of financial resources can very much limit their participation in extracurricular activities or internships, which we all know that this are very important as they help you with personal development and future career prospects.

Now that we know a bit how undocumented students are challenged financially, let us move to how they are impacted socially. Believe it or not, this is a hurdle for undocumented students, as the fear of disclosure and potential deportation can lead them to become very socially isolated. Often, undocumented students can be very hesitant to share their status with their peers or even participate in campus life at their maximum capacity. This isolation can very much impact their health and overall experience. In addition, the stigma surrounding undocumented students ends in a lot of discrimination and marginalization which leads to exacerbating feelings of exclusion.

Moving on to the next challenge of being undocumented, and this relates to me on a very personal level, these students face much uncertainty and stress concerning their future. Many times, it has to do with the lack of a clear path for them to legally become residents or earn citizenship. In most cases, being undocumented creates instability and fear when it comes down to the thought of aiming for a long-term career path. Going even further, it also impacts their mental health leading to higher rates of anxiety and depression while also trying to balance family responsibilities.

Last but definitely not the least is how being undocumented impacts academics. Once again, due to their uncertain status, despite their academic capabilities, undocumented students tend to fight many barriers when it comes to accessing financial aid, which is very crucial for tuition and other education expenses. Without financial aid they tend to struggle to pay for college, causing an increase in stress and academic pressure. In addition, the fear of deportation and legal repercussions leads to an environment of constant anxiety which prevents them focusing on their studies and being able to perform at their best.

In conclusion, life as an undocumented student is prolonged and hardened due to the multifaceted challenges that comes with being undocumented. Undocumented students have to go through an overly complex path as they pursue higher education. Understanding and addressing all of these challenges is crucial to creating a more inclusive and supportive academic environment where it can recognize the unique difficulties faced by these undocumented students.