2024 Reports

Higher Education Access for Undocumented Immigrants: An Overview of Higher Education Policy Across the United States and Case Studies of its Impact on Economic Mobility

Crandall, Rebecca

Examines state-level policies regarding higher education access for undocumented immigrants in the United States, with case studies on California, Massachusetts, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas. Using data compiled from the Opportunity Atlas, this research explores the impact of these higher education policies on economic mobility among undocumented populations. The findings suggest that while inclusive college enrollment and financial aid policies facilitate immigrant integration and economic opportunities, broader societal factors greatly influence mobility outcomes. This research project was conducted as a requirement of the Columbia University Library Research Mentorship program.