Undocumented Students and the DREAM Act
Advocating for unauthorized students to help realize their dreams for college and beyond
"The growing pool of young adults who lack both adequate educational access to keep them socially mobile and the legal right to work in the United States presents serious problems not only for the students themselves but also for U.S. society as a whole."
–Roberto G. Gonzales, Assistant Professor, University of Washington
The challenge of successfully integrating the growing number of immigrant students in U.S. schools is further complicated by the issue of documentation. While the Supreme Court guaranteed elementary and secondary education to undocumented children in 1982, the Plyler v. Doe ruling did not address what would become of these youth after high school.
Today, it is estimated that about 65,000 undocumented students graduate from U.S. high schools each year to encounter significant barriers to higher education and continued development. As a result, only a small fraction of these youth attend college. American in identity and spirit if not on paper, unauthorized students share the aspirations and ambitions of their American-born peers, but due to their legal status their social mobility is severely restricted after high school graduation.
"Young Lives on Hold: The College Dreams of Undocumented Students" (.pdf/1.7M) calls for a humane and comprehensive resolution to the legal barriers that hinder undocumented students from going to college and participating fully in society. It promotes the DREAM Act as a bipartisan policy solution that would open the door to college for tens of thousands of students. The College Board is committed to expanding educational opportunities for this segment of our nation's youth, who have the potential to make significant contributions to the economy, democracy, and society in general.
Download the full Young Lives on Hold report (.pdf/1.7M)
Download the full Young Lives on Hold report in Spanish (.pdf/1.8M)
Download the Young Lives on Hold summary (.pdf/291K)
Download the Young lives on Hold summary in Spanish (.pdf/744K)
Read the press release
Read the press release in Spanish (.pdf/44K)
Learn about the Capitol Hill briefing announcing the release of this report. To receive email alerts about our efforts to support undocumented students, sign up to become an advocate.