The University of Arizona Press
Life Undocumented
Latinx Youth Navigating Place and Belonging
Paperback ($30.00), Hardcover ($100.00), Ebook ($30.00)
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Life Undocumented captures the compelling stories of Latinx undocumented young adults growing up and living in two distinct sociopolitical contexts: California, which provides legal pathways into higher education for undocumented youth, and Georgia, which does not.
The book is about how undocumented young adults in these two contexts navigate the pathway to and through adulthood, and the powerful role state laws and policies play in shaping their prospects for social mobility and their sense of belonging. Edelina M. Burciaga examines how state laws and policies in California and Georgia shape the pathways to adulthood for these individuals. California, with its supportive legal frameworks, contrasts sharply with Georgia’s restrictive environment, highlighting the significant impact of state-level immigration policies.
The book highlights the complexities and contradictions that emerge from these distinct legal ecologies, which include the intersections of federal, state, local, familial, and individual dynamics, and shape the daily lives and future orientations of undocumented young adults. This book underscores the resilience and agency of undocumented youth as they confront and resist the structural constraints imposed by immigration laws, offering a vivid portrayal of their emotional and social journeys. This book is a vital resource for anyone committed to creating equitable and inclusive systems for undocumented students.
The book is about how undocumented young adults in these two contexts navigate the pathway to and through adulthood, and the powerful role state laws and policies play in shaping their prospects for social mobility and their sense of belonging. Edelina M. Burciaga examines how state laws and policies in California and Georgia shape the pathways to adulthood for these individuals. California, with its supportive legal frameworks, contrasts sharply with Georgia’s restrictive environment, highlighting the significant impact of state-level immigration policies.
The book highlights the complexities and contradictions that emerge from these distinct legal ecologies, which include the intersections of federal, state, local, familial, and individual dynamics, and shape the daily lives and future orientations of undocumented young adults. This book underscores the resilience and agency of undocumented youth as they confront and resist the structural constraints imposed by immigration laws, offering a vivid portrayal of their emotional and social journeys. This book is a vital resource for anyone committed to creating equitable and inclusive systems for undocumented students.
“In a climate where racism and white supremacy are rampant in the United States, this book depicts how racialized legal ecologies (historical and contemporary) shape the educational experiences of Latinx undocumented young adults within two different state contexts (California and Georgia). This is a must-read for anyone working toward creating anti-racist systems and policies for undocumented students.”—Susana M. Muñoz, author of Identity, Social Activism, and the Pursuit of Higher Education: The Journey Stories of Undocumented and Unafraid Community Activists
“Life Undocumented is a timely and welcome contribution to the literature on undocumented youth and young adults. Through rich interview data and ethnographic observations of undocumented young adults living in Los Angeles and Atlanta, Burciaga paints a vivid picture of how their lives are circumscribed by welcoming and hostile sociolegal contexts and how immigrant youth make sense of their liminal legal status in terms of their sense of inclusion or exclusion, educational trajectories, and activism. Given the uncertainty of the DACA program and the implementation of state-level reforms, the book shows the short- and long-term implications for members of the 1.5 generation and their integration into U.S. society.”—Lisa M. Martinez, University of Denver
“Life Undocumented is a timely and welcome contribution to the literature on undocumented youth and young adults. Through rich interview data and ethnographic observations of undocumented young adults living in Los Angeles and Atlanta, Burciaga paints a vivid picture of how their lives are circumscribed by welcoming and hostile sociolegal contexts and how immigrant youth make sense of their liminal legal status in terms of their sense of inclusion or exclusion, educational trajectories, and activism. Given the uncertainty of the DACA program and the implementation of state-level reforms, the book shows the short- and long-term implications for members of the 1.5 generation and their integration into U.S. society.”—Lisa M. Martinez, University of Denver
188 Pages
6 x 9
Published: September 2025Paperback ISBN: 9780816553037
Published: September 2025Hardcover ISBN: 9780816553044
Published: September 2025Ebook ISBN: 9780816553051