Unseen and Unheard: The Struggle of the Undocumented Student

By Belen Reyna

The difficulties and challenges that come with being a design student are all too familiar to fellow design students and professors who were once students themselves. Long hours spent in the studio, sleepless nights, coffee runs, computer crashes during a project finalization and last minute adjustments before a deadline. All are examples that will have you nodding your head if you feel understood by them. If you feel seen.

Lately, there have been a lot of strides taken toward raising awareness for minority, LGBTQ+ and international students and their struggles within an educational system that has yet to improve further to serve, include and give them the resources they need. Mental health and emotional well-being have also become widespread topics that our educational institutions and student organizations are currently addressing. It’s quite obvious that there’s still much to be done in order to shed light on and tackle the unique struggles faced by these students who, without a doubt, need to be seen. Yet, I’m writing this to inform you that there exists a certain group of students who are not seen, nor supported in the way that they need.

It’s no secret that certain laws and regulations regarding the lives and stay of undocumented students in this country have posed challenges to their success for the past couple of years. Their worry over the uncertainty of their future and unique predicament is still a subject being juggled by lawmakers and politicians. And frankly, it’s a subject that they’re sometimes too hesitant to discuss because they don’t know how their words and actions will affect them in the long run. The complexity of these thoughts, worries and emotions takes a more serious turn when it comes to their academic and professional lives.

If you’re extremely aware of the competition and anxieties that come with both earning your degree in your field of design and the process of obtaining employment afterwards, then you must also know that these students share the same experience, but with less prospects. Not only do they have to deal with the difficulties of being design students during college, but also the fact that they can’t be legally employed.

It’s already enough of a stressor to be categorized as an international student upon admission, even though you grew up and attended high school just like any other student at your college. You still must pay a higher tuition price and overcome the obstacles associated with being an international student. While it is true that the state of Texas has granted many undocumented

students the option of signing and submitting a residency affidavit to be considered resident students and provided special financial aid programs, the probability of receiving those benefits is low and most of the time the colleges themselves decide not to approve despite all the correct documentation.

If they’re lucky enough to overcome these challenges during their academic journey, they might not be so lucky in overcoming what’s next.

Since they cannot be legally employed, the chances of kickstarting a successful career in design within their country are bleak (not to mention the tricky licensing process, too). The most they can do with their skills is obtain an unpaid internship, or search for employment in other countries, as well as their own country of origin. Most are unfamiliar with these limited options and are discouraged from pursuing their degree altogether. It is necessary to provide special career counseling and additional resources that let these students know that they’re not alone and that their struggle can be alleviated.

Although the plan and steps needed to help undocumented students is more complex and multi faceted, the simple increase of career advising and knowledge of options during career events and portfolio reviews, can really make a big difference in their academic and professional lives.

The Gerald D. Hines College of Architecture has both the resources and students needed to make this difference. The College has been an exemplary institution of progress and preoccupation with the success of its gifted students and faculty, and it would be more than ideal to increase efforts in raising awareness for the hardships that these students face.

While I’m aware that DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) is improving and mobilizing once again, it’s still imperative that we pay attention to the needs and concerns of these students. It’s still imperative that we offer them the resources they need to succeed, despite their difficult situation and unique circumstance. It’s still imperative that we listen to what they have to say and formulate a plan to ensure their success. It’s imperative for them to know that they are seen and heard.