Safety, Strategy, and Success
Pillars for Supporting Mixed-Status Families Along the Admissions Process
by Mayra Valle
As the proud daughter of Mexican immigrants, I grew up in a mixed-status household. I was part of the 22 million people in the U.S. who navigate life with family members holding different immigration statuses, including being citizens, permanent residents, DACAmented, or undocumented individuals (fwd.us). Like millions of families across the U.S., we couldn’t abide by the adage to “never discuss politics or religion at the dinner table.” For us, politics wasn’t a choice—it was a daily reality. The people we loved and cared for lived in fear of deportation amidst political uncertainty. Yet, the only sentiment stronger than that fear was the unwavering belief that education could be the key to success for us and our families.
In today’s political landscape, mixed-status families face heightened fears, especially when navigating the college admissions and financial aid process. I’ve found that fostering a safe space where strategy is welcomed can lead to success throughout the admission process and beyond.
Safety is the Basis of Post-Secondary Buy-In
Families often express worry when exploring post-secondary options. Their concerns are valid and rooted in truth. Within my own caseload, families have often shared a few main concerns:
Fear of becoming targeted by government agencies. According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, only about 25% of mixed-status families receive government benefits “due to fears about potentially negative consequences related to their citizenship status.” This distrust of government agencies is also prevalent when seeking financial aid support or college admissions.
Worries about completing financial or admission documents incorrectly (by sharing too much or too little). Because of growing concerns related to receiving financial assistance, FAFSA clauses stating: “you understand that falsification of the information you provide may be punishable by a fine, imprisonment of not more than five years, or both” sounds more like a threat than a warning. Families worry that mistakes, even unintentional ones, can lead to dire consequences. The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) "affirms [their] support for all students seeking to access higher education” and financial support.
Cultural mistrust in government systems that seem inaccessible. Many immigrants come to the U.S. to avoid “armed conflict, disaster exposure, gender inequality, lack of job opportunities, political corruption, and lack of access to competent healthcare and education” (IWC). These experiences in their home countries can shape their views of U.S. government agencies, which is not their fault.
So, how do we build trust and create safer, more empowering relationships with these families?
In my first year of counseling, I asked a family: “What is important for me to know about you to best serve you?” Their response was simple, “We feel fully seen when we feel fully heard.” That phrase impacted the way I approached all of my family meetings that year. It inevitably created my family engagement framework:
Strategy Puts our Mixed-Status Families On Game
Mixed-status families are entrepreneurs, homeowners, and powerful contributors to society. Oftentimes, they have figured out how to thrive in a new country without a guidebook. When strategy enters the chat, the impact is transformative and exponential!
Below is a directory of resources that can help mixed-status families navigate key areas like financial aid, college admissions, and legal services.
General Information Hubs:
Informed Immigrant: This central hub supports undocumented, DACAmented, and mixed-status families to navigate the uncertainties of life for non-U.S. citizens. The platform provides trusted information across five key areas: legal support, healthcare (physical and mental wellness), resources for daily life in the U.S., and education.
Immigrants Rising: This national initiative, initially launched in California, supports DACAmented and undocumented individuals with accessing resources and pathways to college, careers, and legal status. They focus on four key areas: higher education, immigration law, entrepreneurship, and mental health.
National Immigration Law Center (NILC): This center specializes in policy advocacy and legal support for mixed-status families. They make vital resources accessible to protect families across the U.S.
United We Dream: As one of the largest immigrant youth-led organizations in the U.S, United We Dream offers educational advocacy and financial resources tailored to support undocumented and DACAmented students.
HigherEd Immigration Portal: This is a platform that compiles data, policies, and research studies to support DACA, undocumented, and refugee individuals in exploring post-secondary options and accessing the most up-to-date resources.
Scholarship Databases:
Although securing additional funding for undocumented and DACAmented students may be more challenging, there are still transformative opportunities available for those without a Social Security Number. Note: Scholarship amounts may vary.
Connect with local organizations:
Educators are encouraged to conduct a landscape analysis in their city or region to identify organizations that directly support students or connect them to scholarships. In Houston, TX, I often refer families to the following resources:
FIEL: One of the largest immigrant-led civil rights organizations in the state, FIEL connects undocumented and DACAmented students to legal, higher education, and family resources, empowering them to thrive across all areas.
Baker Ripley: This community center network offers free tax preparation and financial support to families making less than $58,000 annually.
Raices: This Texas-based organization supports mixed-status families with legal services, social services, civil rights advocacy, and refugee client services.
State Aid Resources:
Across the U.S., there are many states that give undocumented and DACAmented students access to state-aid if the student meets certain residency requirements and attends an in-state institution. Please explore that list below:
Higher Ed Immigration Portal (Tuition & Financial Aid Equity for Undocumented Students)
Licensing and Certification Support:
Let’s think beyond the college degree and consider the career trajectory our students hope to achieve. From earning a driver’s license to obtaining certifications in fields like nursing, it’s essential for students to understand their options beyond higher education. Depending on the state they plan to work in, access to some licenses and certifications may vary. The resources below can help students navigate those opportunities:
Higher Ed Immigration Portal (Professional & Occupational Licensure)
TheDream.US (State Professional/ Occupational Licensure Requirements for Immigrants)
Colleges and Universities with Inclusive Institutional Aid Policies:
A 2 and 4-year college education is expensive. However, in some cases, the cost of attendance does not equate to affordability. Some schools offer institutional aid to DACAmented and undocumented students who meet residential requirements. Students who apply to these institutions are viewed and packaged like domestic applicants. Please explore that list below:
Appily (U.S. Colleges that Meet 100% of Demonstrated Need for Undocumented and DACA Students)
Individual School Websites
There are schools across the country that fund undocumented and DACAmented students at 90% or more. Students should explore those policies by visiting school websites.
I recognize that many of these institutions are highly selective or located further away from our students and their families. Given the political climate, it may be unsafe for students to travel across state lines. Please converse with mixed-status families to the degree of comfort and knowledge around this topic.
Success Beyond the College Acceptance
Success is more than just college acceptance—it’s about creating a holistic pathway to personal and professional fulfillment. The Gallup-Walton Family Foundation reports that Gen Z students prioritize relationship-building and mental health over wealth and status in their careers. This includes establishing strong support systems, understanding career pathways, and prioritizing mental health, especially in the context of mixed-status families' unique challenges.
Support Systems: Regardless of the post-secondary option students choose, it is imperative that they can find, articulate, and use support systems on campus or in their community like First-Generation Services, Multicultural Centers, and affinity groups that bring them closer to their campus community. They already pay for their services in their semesterly bill, so why not use them?
Counseling and Mental Health Services: Mental health is increasingly a topic of much discourse (as it should be) on college campuses and the rest of the world. Educators can encourage students to explore affordable medical insurance options so that they may attend counseling or therapy sessions when needed.
Career Pathways: Regardless of a student’s citizenship status, it is important to discuss the role of internships, work-study programs, and networking opportunities that cater to undocumented students’ specific challenges and opportunities. Colleges recommend that all first-year students visit the career office at least once within their first semester. This is especially important for underrepresented students like those who are undocumented or DACAmented.
A mixed-status family’s journey through the college admissions process is one marked by both extraordinary challenges and incredible resilience. Safety, strategy, and success are not merely concepts but essential practices that can empower families and students to thrive in their educational pursuits. The road may be difficult, but by embracing compassion and expertise, we can ensure that these students are not just seen but supported in every step of their journey toward achieving their dreams.
Mayra Valle
As a first-generation college student, Mayra navigated unfamiliar terrain and graduated from Connecticut College with her Bachelors of Arts and Texas A&M University with her Masters of Art on full scholarships! Given the challenges she encountered, she entered the education sector with the goal of affirming student identities and providing them with strategies to excel in the admission process.
With a decade-long career in selective college admission space, Mayra has supported students across five Houston-area school districts as a counselor and content specialist. Whether she was facilitating cross-cultural dialogue at the Posse Foundation or directly supporting students and staff at EMERGE, Mayra approached the work with care and an unmatched level of hard work that she learned from her migrant parents. She has taken those learnings and paved a new path. Last year, Mayra launched her own business, Valle Conmigo LLC, as a way to provide DEI trainings to practitioners and college advising to students.
