The UndocuBasic Needs Project (UBNP) published a research brief focused on the work of higher education professionals supporting undocumented students, and those in mixed-status families. The UBNP seeks to better understand immigrant college students’ basic needs, and the experiences of school personnel working to support them. The brief is based on 52 in-depth interviews with staff who work in undocumented student support services and/or basic needs. This includes staff members working in counseling officers and multicultural centers, and with varying titles (e.g., Director, Coordinator, Program Manager, among other titles).
The brief demonstrates how staff members work towards implementing “creative solutions” (Valdivia & Patten, 2026: 5). This includes efforts to expand opportunities that would otherwise remain blocked due to the lack of legal status. The process of pursuing creative solutions entailed the following steps: “(1) developing an understanding of one’s legal context and professional goals; (2) implementing and troubleshooting solutions; (3) raising awareness and mobilizing support across and beyond the institution; and (4) institutionalizing workarounds” (Valdivia & Patten, 2026: 6)
The brief discusses how staff members’ ability to pursue and implement creative solutions varies in part by state-level context and institutional support, including access to funding and support (or lack thereof) from leadership. It concludes with a set of recommendations for higher education professionals aiming to better support undocumented students. To learn more about these findings, check out the project website, research brief, and related academic article.
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Categories: Basic Needs, Research
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