New study shows large drop in undocumented college students at California universities, decline of DACA is most likely explanation

New study shows large drop in undocumented college students at  California universities, decline of DACA is most likely explanation

 A new article by William C. Kidder of the UCLA Civil Rights Project and Kevin R. Johnson of the UC Davis School of Law is the first to report comprehensive recent data on enrollment trends for undocumented college students, an era marked by increasing constrictions on DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals).  The study looked at trends in the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) systems, plus campus-level data at two dozen UC and CSU campuses. 

The new study, forthcoming in the Journal of College & University Law, finds that between 2016-17 and to 2022-23, newly enrolled low-income undocumented students declined by half at UC and CSU campuses.  Given existing state laws intended to provide equal access for undocumented students who grew up in California, the authors attribute the stark declines to the constrictions on DACA since 2017, which worsened after a Texas federal district court’s national injunction in 2021 blocked the processing of new DACA applications.  This makes it much more difficult for Gen Z undocumented college students to obtain legal employment and other benefits that make college more accessible and affordable.

The study compared low-income undocumented students with control groups of other low- and lower-middle income students at UC and CSU with similar academic profiles.  The absence of declines among these control groups highlights the unique challenges faced by undocumented students today and supports the conclusion that the stifling of DACA plays a major role in explaining why undocumented college students are having such a difficult time pursuing a university education.

The results of the new study are especially timely given the policy debate around AB 2586 (David Alvarez—San Diego), Opportunity for All Act, which the California Legislature recently passed.  The bill awaits the signature or veto of Governor Newsom.   AB 2586 would provide equal access to employment opportunities for all students, regardless of their immigration status, at the University of California, California State University, and California community colleges.  Section IV of the Kidder & Johnson study reviews Opportunity for All campaign, which claims that public universities may lawfully employ undocumented students.

The article, titled “California Dreamin’: DACA’s Decline and Undocumented College Student Enrollment in the Golden State” is available here. 

Contact information: [email protected] and [email protected].

KJ