ABOUT THIS BOOK

Life Undocumented captures the compelling stories of Latinx undocumented young adults growing up and living in two distinct sociopolitical contexts: California, which provides legal pathways into higher education for undocumented youth, and Georgia, which does not.

The book is about how undocumented young adults in these two contexts navigate the pathway to and through adulthood, and the powerful role state laws and policies play in shaping their prospects for social mobility and their sense of belonging. Edelina M. Burciaga examines how state laws and policies in California and Georgia shape the pathways to adulthood for these individuals. California, with its supportive legal frameworks, contrasts sharply with Georgia’s restrictive environment, highlighting the significant impact of state-level immigration policies.

The book highlights the complexities and contradictions that emerge from these distinct legal ecologies, which include the intersections of federal, state, local, familial, and individual dynamics, and shape the daily lives and future orientations of undocumented young adults. This book underscores the resilience and agency of undocumented youth as they confront and resist the structural constraints imposed by immigration laws, offering a vivid portrayal of their emotional and social journeys. This book is a vital resource for anyone committed to creating equitable and inclusive systems for undocumented students.

AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

Edelina M. Burciaga is an assistant professor of sociology at the University of Colorado, Denver. Her research focuses on undocumented Latinx youth, exploring how state and local laws shape their transition to adulthood in California, Georgia, Colorado, and Arizona.

REVIEWS

“In a climate where racism and white supremacy are rampant in the United States, this book depicts how racialized legal ecologies (historical and contemporary) shape the educational experiences of Latinx undocumented young adults within two different state contexts (California and Georgia). This is a must-read for anyone working toward creating anti-racist systems and policies for undocumented students.”—Susana M. Muñoz, author of Identity, Social Activism, and the Pursuit of Higher Education: The Journey Stories of Undocumented and Unafraid Community Activists

“Life Undocumented is a timely and welcome contribution to the literature on undocumented youth and young adults. Through rich interview data and ethnographic observations of undocumented young adults living in Los Angeles and Atlanta, Burciaga paints a vivid picture of how their lives are circumscribed by welcoming and hostile sociolegal contexts and how immigrant youth make sense of their liminal legal status in terms of their sense of inclusion or exclusion, educational trajectories, and activism. Given the uncertainty of the DACA program and the implementation of state-level reforms, the book shows the short- and long-term implications for members of the 1.5 generation and their integration into U.S. society.”—Lisa M. Martinez, University of Denver

“Burciaga examines the experiences of undocumented young adults in Los Angeles and Atlanta, two contrasting contexts regarding access to higher education. California provides a more supportive environment for undocumented students, fostering positive educational outcomes, whereas Georgia has enacted legislation that is hostile to the immigrant population. The author analyzes the ‘legal ecologies’ of both states, how laws, policies, and regulations have evolved across multiple levels of government. Recommended."—I. Coronado, CHOICE Connect

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Cover

Title Page

Copyright

Contents

Acknowledgments

Introduction

1. The Legal Ecologies of Latinx Undocumented Young Adults

2. Growing Up Undocumented in Shifting Legal Contexts

3. Pathways to College in New and Old Destinations

4. Citizenship, Belonging, and Identity in New and Old Destinations

5. The Immigrant Bargain Extended: Undocumented Youth Activism

Conclusion

Works Cited

Index

About the Author