THE NARRATIVE OF UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS IN COLLEGE: EXPLORING THE AFFECTS OF DEFERRED ACTION FOR CHILDHOOD ARRIVALS ON UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS ATTENDING FOUR-YEAR PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES A Thesis Presented to the faculty of Graduate and Professional Studies in Education California State University, Sacramento Submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of MASTER OF ARTS in Education (Higher Education Leadership) by Donaciano Botello Torres SPRING 2017 © 2017 Donaciano Botello Torres ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ii THE NARRATIVE OF UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS IN COLLEGE: EXPLORING THE AFFECTS OF DEFERRED ACTION FOR CHILDHOOD ARRIVALS ON UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS ATTENDING FOUR-YEAR PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES A Thesis by Donaciano Botello Torres Approved by: __________________________________, Committee Chair Geni Cowan, Ph.D. __________________________________, Second Reader José Chávez, Ed.D. Date iii Student: Donaciano Botello Torres I certify that this student has met the requirements for format contained in the University format manual, and that this thesis is suitable for shelving in the Library and credit is to be awarded for the thesis. , Graduate Coordinator Albert Lozano, Ph.D. Date Graduate and Professional Studies in Education iv Abstract of THE NARRATIVE OF UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS IN COLLEGE: EXPLORING THE AFFECTS OF DEFERRED ACTION FOR CHILDHOOD ARRIVALS ON UNDOCUMENTED STUDENTS ATTENDING FOUR-YEAR PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES by Donaciano Botello Torres Brief Literature Review California is the home of one of the largest populations of undocumented immigrants in the United States (Drachman, 2006; Nevins, 2010). With an estimated 65,000 undocumented students graduating from high school every year (Passel, 2006), these undocumented students are facing challenges and barriers to enter institutions of higher education. Those barriers are in the form of coming from low socioeconomic status, being underprepared academically, being first-generation students, and lack of federal financial aid (Chávez, 1998; Einsema, 2013; Frum, 2007; Gonzales, Roth, Brant, Lee, & Valdivia, 2016). A college degree is seen as an opportunity for social and economic mobility (Abrego, 2006; Chávez, 1998; Gandara & Contreras, 2009; Menjivar, 2000, 2006). With undocumented students entering institutions of higher education, the v State of California needs to understand how the challenges and barriers are impacting those students. A better understanding of these challenges and barriers California will help improve the graduation and retention rates. Statement of the Problem The purpose of this study was to focus on experiences of challenges and barriers to attaining a college degree and help shape policies that will benefit all undocumented students. This research study looked at the challenges they are facing as well as what resources they are using on campus to stay on track to graduate and pursue post-graduate degrees. Methodology This study employed mixed methods that included a questionnaire and one-to-one interview. The study took place at Mariposa University in Northern California. The sample consisted of three students who ranged from being a first-year freshman to a second-year graduate student. Conclusions and Recommendations Findings from the study showed that DACA played an important part in the motivation of the students to pursue post-graduate degrees. DACA has allowed more undocumented students to pursue higher education by dismantling some of the barriers they had faced before. Being able to access state financial aid through the CA Dream Act has allowed higher education to be more accessible. Students still face financial difficulties, and the cost of attendance is at the forefront of their decision-making process. vi A recommendation is to do more research focused on undocumented students in post- graduate programs and how they are persisting. , Committee Chair Geni Cowan, Ph.D. Date vii DEDICATION This is dedicated to my family who has continuously supported me throughout the years, especially my mother, Leticia Botello, whose memory is embedded in this thesis. Her goal in life was to have her children pursue their dreams and for her that also meant to graduate from college. For my father, Juan Botello, who worked continuously to ensure that his three children would have all of the opportunities in the world. For being supportive of me and having to take on the dual role of father and mother to me. This thesis is for you, for every day that you had to wake up before the sun rose and every time that you worked underneath the blazing sun. This is in honor of my mentor, Martha Nunez, who always showed me unconditional love. She was a strong believer in the power of education and that there were no excuses for me not to be successful. Your lifetime of work with students has inspired me to do the same. To my mentor, Dr. Mariana G. Martinez, I want to say thank you for planting the seed of knowledge when I was your student in Upward Bound. Thank you for being a role model and for supporting me through the process of applying to a master’s program. To my brother, Alberto Botello, you are a constant source of motivation and you helped push me to complete this thesis. Thank you for the showing me how to be successful. To my sister, Daniela Botello and my niece Isabel, this is for the brighter future that we have inherited and for the work that is still ahead of us. A big thank you to my fraternity brothers of Nu Alpha Kappa Fraternity, Inc. for all of their support and guidance along the way. viii TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Dedication ....................................................................................................................... viii Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ 1 Background ............................................................................................................. 1 Statement of the Problem ........................................................................................ 4 Significance of the Study ........................................................................................ 5 Limitations of the Study.......................................................................................... 6 Definition of Terms................................................................................................. 6 2. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE .................................................................. 10 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 10 Theoretical Framework ......................................................................................... 10 Historical Context ................................................................................................. 12 Federal Policies ..................................................................................................... 16 State Policies ......................................................................................................... 41 Educational Policies .............................................................................................. 42 3. METHODOLOGY ..................................................................................................... 45 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 45 Setting of the Study ............................................................................................... 45 Research Design.................................................................................................... 46 ix Limitations of the Study........................................................................................ 49 Summary ............................................................................................................... 50 4. FINDINGS AND ANALYSIS OF DATA ................................................................. 51 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 51 Results ................................................................................................................... 52 Interpretation of the Findings................................................................................ 77 Summary ............................................................................................................... 79 5. SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS, AND RECOMMENDATIONS.............................. 80 Summary ............................................................................................................... 80 Conclusions ........................................................................................................... 83 Recommendations ................................................................................................. 84 Appendix A. Questionnaire .............................................................................................. 87 Appendix B. Invitation to Participate ............................................................................... 89 Appendix C. Consent to Participate in Research .............................................................. 92 Appendix D. Interview Questions..................................................................................... 94 References ........................................................................................................................