By Cheryn Chavarria-Romero
Trinity Times Correspondent
When Mary Gonzalez began her nursing studies at Trinity Washington University, she believed she was achieving an immigrant’s American dream.
But as an undocumented immigrant, Gonzalez discovered that the sought-after degree from an American university — one that draws so many students from around the globe — was just out of reach. Financial constraints forced her to withdraw from the program. “Mary Gonzalez” is a pseudonym used to protect the former student’s identity.
The United States has long been celebrated as a beacon of opportunity, attracting immigrants from all over the world. Education, particularly higher education, remains one of the most compelling reasons many make the journey to America. According to USAFacts, 32% of immigrants in 2021 came to the U.S. seeking educational opportunities.
Yet while the U.S. promises a brighter future for immigrant students, the path is often obstructed by financial challenges, legal limitations and systemic discrimination. For undocumented students, these barriers often outweigh the opportunities they hoped to pursue.
With its reputation for academic excellence and cultural diversity, the U.S. higher education system continues to draw students from around the world. Many believe that earning a degree here will not only improve their lives, but also the lives of their families.
However, financial burdens are a significant hurdle. While many U.S. students face rising tuition costs, undocumented students face a unique disadvantage: they are ineligible for federal financial aid and often do not qualify for in-state tuition or scholarships. According to the National Immigration Law Center, undocumented students cannot access Pell Grants, federal student loans or work-study programs.
The pain of Gonzalez’s deferred dreams eventually led her to become an advocate for immigrant rights.
“It felt like there was a constant cloud over me,” she said. “I wanted to continue my education, but I couldn’t see how it would be possible without support from the government.”
Although her family supported her emotionally, Gonzalez said they lacked the financial means to help her complete her degree.
Rosa Reyes, director of the Dreamers Partnership and a student advisor at Trinity, echoed this experience. She works closely with undocumented students, offering support through scholarship guidance, mental health services and legal aid referrals. Reyes lived undocumented in the U.S. for 10 years and earned her college degree before her legal status changed.
“At the time that I was applying [to college], the scholarships available were only for DACA [Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals] students and as a fully undocumented student I did not qualify for them,” she said.
Reyes worked multiple jobs to afford college and nearly had to drop out of her master’s program after losing her employment.
A current undocumented Trinity student, Emily Jacobs — also a pseudonym — has faced similar challenges.
“I came to find out that I wouldn’t be able to apply, like actually attend those colleges if I was to choose one because I was undocumented, which is the first time I had heard that,” Jacobs said, after abandoning her acceptance letters due to the inability to pay for college.
The DACA program, established in 2012, has been one of the most important lifelines for undocumented students. It allows certain undocumented individuals who came to the U.S. as children to receive a renewable two-year period of deferred action from deportation and become eligible for a work permit.
However, DACA does not offer a path to citizenship, and its future has been unstable for years. As of 2024, new DACA applications are no longer accepted, and the program remains entangled in legal battles. A 2023 report by the Kaiser Family Foundation cited policy analyst Shannon Schumacher, who said, “The future of DACA remains uncertain, and this instability adds a layer of anxiety for students who already face barriers in their educational journey.”
While many benefit from DACA, not all undocumented students qualify. A 2023 report from the Migration Policy Institute estimated that more than 1.7 million undocumented youth could qualify for DACA protection, but many arrived after the 2007 cutoff or aged out of eligibility.
This legal uncertainty impacts entire families.
“My parents were always supportive,” said a student named Alejandro in a New York Times profile on undocumented youth. “But there was a sense of fear every time I applied for scholarships or internships. We were always worried about what could happen next.”
Family support plays a vital role. A 2022 Pew Research Center study found that immigrant families often place a high value on education, even when parents have limited formal schooling.
Gonzalez said her parents worked multiple jobs to help pay for textbooks and school supplies, even though they didn’t fully understand the U.S. education system.
Community organizations have also stepped in. TheDream.US, a scholarship fund for DACA and undocumented students, has provided more than 10,000 scholarships since its founding in 2013.
Jacobs credited TheDream.US with helping her attend college, and said her family helped her discover the program.
“My mom was a big help,” she said. “She was looking around, asking questions, calling whoever she knew who could help me out.”
Many educational institutions are adapting to meet the needs of undocumented students by offering financial aid workshops and mental health services. But not all schools are equipped to address the complex legal and financial issues these students face.
“While some universities are supportive, others are less equipped to help undocumented students navigate legal complexities and find financial assistance,” the 2023 Kaiser Family Foundation report stated.
Though immigrant rights advocates call for a pathway to citizenship and expanded access to financial aid, opponents argue such benefits should be reserved for U.S. citizens and legal residents. Organizations like the Center for Immigration Studies contend that extending taxpayer-funded resources to undocumented individuals incentivizes illegal immigration and advocate for stricter enforcement and limited access.
Still, advocates believe a path to citizenship would reduce uncertainty and open doors to higher education.
“I believe and have witnessed firsthand how DACA has been super helpful,” Reyes said. “Although this was never meant to be a permanent solution and is definitely not enough, it is very helpful to the people who still have it today.”