Undocumented Students

Undocumented students at Macalester are encouraged to consider study away, and the Center for Study Away staff is here to support you throughout the process. However, undocumented students do have a variety of things to consider.

This page includes information and questions that we suggest you ask yourself as you are exploring study away options, preparing for your study program, and while at your study away location. Thinking about how your experience might be both similar and different to other students is important. CSA advisors are ready and willing to discuss these topics with you during your advising session.

There are various logistical, financial, and legal considerations for undocumented students studying away, as well as considerations of what your experience will be like in your host community. In particular, please be advised that Advance Parole is no longer an option and that U.S. Customs and Border Protection have heightened security and increased presence within 100 miles of the U.S.-Mexico and U.S.-Canada borders.

Given increased attention and challenges for undocumented students, the Center for Study Away staff is more than willing to work with you to find a domestic option that fits your academic and personal learning goals. We understand that currently there are not many domestic study away programs on the Macalester approved list, but the CSA staff will certainly work with you to explore domestic options not on the approved list if that is what is best for you.

Questions to Ask

• As an undocumented student, what are your academic and personal goals for study away, and how can those be fulfilled on a domestic program?
• Do you have the necessary government-issued identification to travel by airplane within the U.S.? If not, can you get to your study away location by ground transportation?
• Is there an immigrant rights advocacy agency near your study away location that could provide support if needed?
• What is your host institution or program’s policy for undocumented students?
• Does the host institution have an advisor or student support services for undocumented students?
• Have you consulted with an immigration attorney regarding your plans to study away? If you don’t have one, Macalester is committed to providing access to pro bono attorneys for undocumented students. Please contact Hana Dinku ([email protected]) or Sedric McClure ([email protected]) for more information.
• Are you eligible to renew your DACA benefits in the near future?
• Based on your intersecting identity factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and citizenship status, how will you be perceived in your host community? What stereotypes or assumptions might you encounter? Is it likely you will experience discrimination?
• How might you react if you find something to be offensive or if you are the target of curiosity, prejudice, discrimination, or racism?
• Are there additional study away funding sources you can look into?

Resources for Undocumented Students Studying Away

• Macalester Center for Study Away Staff
• Macalester Lealtad-Suzuki Center for Social Justice
• ICE – Travel
• Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota