Removing Institutional Barriers for Undocumented Students to Thrive in Tennessee
Undocumented Tennesseans face many hurdles in the process of pursuing postsecondary education, but institutional policy changes can strengthen the pathway for the 2,000 undocumented students graduating from a Tennessee high school each year.
In Rising Together: Removing Institutional Barriers for Undocumented Students to Thrive in Tennessee, EdTrust-Tennessee offers actionable and data-driven solutions campuses can institute to welcome and support undocumented students. In collaboration with two student researchers, we interviewed 10 Tennessee college students about challenges that undocumented students encounter and analyzed nine state and federal policy considerations that are key to undocumented students’ success in higher education.
Key Takeaways
There are three key principles of college campuses that support their undocumented population. Each institution is:
- Embedded with support systems that do not require citizenship status to receive.
- Highly informed about barriers undocumented students encounter, with clear information and protocols for how to navigate the institution.
- Well-connected to local, immigrant-serving organizations who can fill in gaps where institutions may be lacking.
Actions to Remove Barriers for Undocumented Students
For state policymakers:
- Revise TCA 49-8-104 to allow all students who are graduates of a Tennessee high school to access in-state tuition.
- Revise TCA 4-58-102 to permit undocumented Tennesseans to access in-state tuition, state financial aid, professional licensure, and other state public benefits.
For school district leaders:
- Implement alternative early postsecondary opportunities (EPSOs) that do not require citizenship to receive college credit.
- Identify if industry credentials and CTE pathways currently offered require professional licensure to obtain a job. Ensure staff are trained to advise undocumented students on realistic career options within their area of study if they cannot obtain licensure.
- Equip school staff with training and resources to support undocumented families and students to make informed decisions about their postsecondary journeys.
For institution leaders:
- Establish clear processes and resources for undocumented students to apply, enroll in, finance, and fulfill all graduation requirements. Ensure processes are published online, translated, and centralized.
- Audit all institution-based scholarships and programs for eligibility criteria that rely upon state or federal programs. Establish alternative criteria, like income thresholds or a Tennessee high school diploma, to receive the above benefits.
- Ensure all undocumented facing supports, programs, and information are designed for all undocumented students – not just DACA recipients.
- Monitor state and federal legislation that directly impacts undocumented students. Develop protocols to respond to current laws and communicate implications to students.
- Ensure career centers, faculty and other staff are trained to advise undocumented students about viable career paths in their respective fields.
- Conduct outreach and build partnerships with local, immigrant serving organizations to strengthen relationships and lines of communication with students.
