What does it mean to be UndocuBlack? Exploring the double invisibility of Black undocumented immigrant students in U.S. colleges and universities

Abstract

The scholarship concerning undocumented immigrant students continues to overlook the lives of Black undocumented immigrant (undocuBlack) students. This interpretative phenomenological study aims to increase awareness of how undocuBlack students experience college. Our findings suggest that undocuBlack students experience double invisibility because of two of their salient identities: Black and undocumented. Study participants overwhelmingly indicated feeling invisible, even in spaces presumably designed for Black and undocumented immigrant students, such as Black Student Unions and Undocumented Student Resource Centers. This article provides a grounding understanding of undocuBlack college students and concludes with recommendations for increasing the undocuBlack college student visibility in higher education and research.Practical Takeaways Diversify and Train College‐wide Institutional Agents. Hire and promote institutional agents and student leaders who intimately understand undocuBlack lives and issues. Train institutional agents on undocuBlack realities, which should involve partnering and paying (yes, paying) current and formerly undocuBlack immigrants who are content experts to share their experiences and research. Center/ing UndocuBlack Student Voices: Review yearly programming calendars to ensure that undocuBlack stories are represented (e.g., Black History Month, Disability Pride Month, Latinx Heritage Month, Pride Month, Undocumented Immigrant Week/Month, and Women's Heritage Month, among others). Cross‐Campus and Community Collaboration: Collaborate and disseminate reliable content from organizations, such as the Black Lives Matter movement, UndocuBlack Network, and Black Alliance for Just Immigration to strengthen our ties and widen our support for undocuBlack students and staff (and overall communities) on and off campus.