Projects

Based on participant observation and in-depth interviews with 103 members of undocumented and mixed-status households, Carolina examines how immigration policy and enforcement practices structure where and how immigrant families live. This includes its impact on important aspects of family life (e.g. roles, responsibilities, dynamics) and individuals’ participation at work, school, and the broader community. This work has been supported by several organizations, including the Ford Foundation, the Society for the Study of Social Problems, and the Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies at UCSD.

Based on 80 interviews with individuals who have returned to the U.S. post-deportation (or who have a loved one who has returned), Carolina is analyzing the factors that inform families’ decisions to reunite in the U.S., as well as the challenges and resources that families encounter during/after the reunification process. This work is funded by the Russell Sage Foundation and the Carnegie Corporation of New York.

Since 2017, Carolina has also been co-directing the UndocuResearch project. The project examines the experiences of immigrant high school students and the school personnel who work with them. The first and second stages of the project entailed in-depth interviews with high school students who are members of undocumented and mixed-status families (n = 40), as well as educators, counselors, and administrators (n= 44). The research team also conducted participant observation at eight different high schools in San Diego County. The project has been supported by the Sociological Initiatives Foundation, the Latino Center for Leadership Development, UndocuScholars at UCLA, Palomar College, the North County Higher Education Alliance, and the ACT. Learn more about the project here.

This is a national qualitative research project that seeks to better understand and address the basic needs of immigrant college students and their families. Data collection is presently underway to capture the experiences of undocumented college students, and those in mixed-status families, across the country. The first stage of the project entailed in-depth interviews with undocumented college students, and U.S. citizens whose parents are undocumented (n = 106). The second stage of the project involved interviews with staff who work within the realms of undocumented student support services and/or basic needs (n =50). This work is being funded by the ECMC Foundation and the Center for Population, Inequality, and Policy at UCI. Learn more about the project here.