Inclusive Undergraduate Research Opportunities for Undocumented Students

Undocumented students in the United States face a number of structural barriers in accessing higher education. While there is growing attention to the need for legal, financial, social and psychological support for undocumented students, less attention is paid to their equitable access to high impact practices, such as undergraduate research opportunities. This article begins by providing a demographic profile of undocumented students in higher education, highlighting their intersectional identities by which their access additionally is racialized and classed. Students then share their personal experiences and reflections attempting to pursue research opportunities and research-related careers. Throughout, we identify both barriers to access and promising practices in their pursuit of university-sponsored opportunities. The article concludes with recommendations on how universities can ensure equitable access for all students.