Research Opportunities

(Last updated on November 2024)

At My Undocumented Life, we have created a list of current research projects led by either professors or graduate students whose work centers on immigration. We have included information about each project, eligibility requirements, and how to contact the researcher(s). If interested in learning more about any of the research projects below, or in participating, please contact the research team directly as they are leading and overseeing the project, and subsequently, can help address any questions/concerns.

Project on Undocumented Latinx Graduate Students in the University of California System

Martha Ortega Mendoza is a PhD student at UC Berkeley’s School of Education. She is currently conducting a research study for her dissertation with undocumented Latinx/a/o graduate students at any University of California campus. Participants in the study will have two conversations with Martha (that take about 2 to 2.5 hours) about your experiences in graduate school. You will also complete a demographic survey that takes about 10 minutes to complete.

Here are the eligibility requirements to participate in this study:

  • “Self-Identify as an undocumented Latinx/a/o student (i.e., DACA, non-DACA, TPS holder, non-F1 holder)
  • Have completed at least one semester of doctoral coursework (e.g. professional and academic programs at a UC campus)”

All participants will be compensated with a total of $80 in gift cards to Target. For more information and/or to participate, contact Martha at mmortega31@berkeley.edu

Project on Latina/o/x undocumented community college transfer students

Carmen Macias is a doctoral student at Claremont Graduate University. She is currently conducting a research study with Latina/o/x undocumented community college transfer students. If you are eligible, you are invited to participate in Carmen’s study by having a 60-90 minute conversation with her about your experiences transferring as an undocumented student. The purpose of the study is to examine the success factors that support undocumented community college students to transfer and graduate from a four-year university.

To participate in the study, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • “Identify as an undocumented immigrant (including DACA, TPS, U-Visa,) when you were in community college and a four-year university or college
  • Identify as Latina/o/x
  • Have begun higher education at a California community college on or after 2012
  • Have transferred to and graduated from a four-year university/college”

All participants will receive a $30 gift card. Your information will be kept confidential and your privacy will be protected. For more information and to participate, please email Carmen at carmen.macias-limon@cgu.edu

Project on Latino or Hispanic Families Impacted by Separation

Dr. Jennifer Kam (Professor at UC Santa Barbara) and Dr. Roselia Mendez Murillo (Assistant Professor at UT Austin) are currently conducting a research project to understand how Latina/o/x/e immigrant families remain emotionally connected, while living in separate countries. They are also interested in identifying resources/services that can be created to support families who live apart.

Here are the eligibility requirements to participate in this study:

  • “One parent immigrated to the United States while the other parent remained in Latin America.
  • The parents have at least one child.
  • Both parents are willing to participate in the project.”

Participation in this study entails pre-interview survey, an audio-recorded interview, as well as a follow-up survey. Families who participate in this project receive $150 in compensation for their time. For more information and to participate, please email Juliana who is a doctoral student assisting in this study at comm-familia1@ucsb.edu

VOLUNTARY (NON-PAID) RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES

There are also non-paid research opportunities available that seek in part to increase awareness about the lived experiences of undocumented immigrants. More information on this below.

Project on the Types of Support Necessary for Undocumented Students to Succeed in Higher Ed and their Careers

Conexiones is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering undocumented youth and professionals by providing educational opportunities that transcend immigration barriers. They are currently conducting a survey to identifythe resources that undocumented, DACAmented, and other non-citizens or non-residents of the U.S. need—from high school through college and into life after graduation. The research team states that “the information collected in this survey will remain confidential and will not be shared with any outside establishments. Participants will also remain anonymous as this survey does not require disclosure of individuals personal information.” To learn more about and complete the survey, please visit their official link.

Project on the Lived Experiences of Undocumented Young Adults with DACA

Fredi García Alverdín is a former undocumented immigrants who has been living in Tijuana since 2011. He is currently conducting a research project for his postdoctoral fellowship. His project explores migration processes and experiences of undocumented young adults who have benefited from Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).  The interviews will take between 40 minutes to 1 hour and they will be conducted via google meet or zoom. To qualify, prospective participants must identify as:

  • “DACA beneficiary;
  • 18 years or older;
  • Born in Mexico”

To learn more about this project, or to participate, please contact Fredi directly at fgarcia.dem2019@colef.mx

Project on Undocumented Status, Identity, and Mainstream Discourse

Lyana Sun Han Chang is a PhD candidate in Applied Linguistics at Penn State. She is currently conducting a study that examines the experiences of individuals who have grown undocumented, including insight into intersectional identities and the role of social networks. Participants in the study complete a 15-30 minute survey that contains a series of multiple choice and open ended questions. To participate in this study, individuals must:

  • “Have or had an undocumented status;
  • 18 years or older
  • Reside in the United States”

To learn more about this project, including to read over the consent form, preview the survey questions, and/or to participate, please visit the study’s direct link.

DON’T FORGET TO SHARE THIS PAGE WITH YOUR FRIENDS!

Don’t miss out on the latest resources available for undocumented students, make sure to “like” our page on Facebook. 

logo3ver2At My Undocumented Life we provide up-to-date information and resources for undocumented immigrants and allies. We post scholarship opportunities that are open to undocumented students, strategies for navigating the educational system, information on how to apply for DACA/Advance Parole, news on DAPA, and much more. Most importantly, we want to provide a sense of community to our diverse group of readers. Learn more about our work here: “About Us“