Immigrant populations, growing quickly in both size and diversity, have become an important segment of the U.S. college student population, one that will profoundly transform the educational landscape and workforce in coming decades. Nevertheless, immigrant students in higher education are often inaccurately characterized and largely misunderstood. In response to this alarming disconnect, this monograph reviews and synthesizes the existing body of literature on immigrant students, with special attention placed on transitions to college and collegiate experiences. The authors lay a foundation for future research and draw out implications for policies and practices that will better serve the educational needs of this growing population. This is the 6th issue of the 38th volume of the Jossey-Bass series ASHE Higher Education Report. Each monograph is the definitive analysis of a tough higher education issue, based on thorough research of pertinent literature and institutional experiences. Topics are identified by a national survey. Noted practitioners and scholars are then commissioned to write the reports, with experts providing critical reviews of each manuscript before publication.

Immigrant populations, growing quickly in both size anddiversity, have become an important segment of the U.S. collegestudent population, one that will profoundly transform theeducational landscape and workforce in coming decades.Nevertheless, immigrant students in higher education are ofteninaccurately characterized and largely misunderstood.In response to this alarming disconnect, this monograph reviews andsynthesizes the existing body of literature on immigrant students,with special attention placed on transitions to college andcollegiate experiences. The authors lay a foundation for futureresearch and draw out implications for policies and practices thatwill better serve the educational needs of this growingpopulation.This is the 6th issue of the 38th volume of the Jossey-Bassseries ASHE Higher Education Report. Each monographis the definitive analysis of a tough higher education issue, basedon thorough research of pertinent literature and institutionalexperiences. Topics are identified by a national survey. Notedpractitioners and scholars are then commissioned to write thereports, with experts providing critical reviews of each manuscriptbefore publication.

Executive Summary viiForeword xiAcknowledgments xvIntroduction, Context, and Overview 1Why Focus on Immigrants? 2Immigrant as a Conceptual Term 4Definitions of Key Terms 7Limitations of the Monograph 10Organization of the Monograph 11A Context for Immigration in the United States 12Theoretical Foundation: Immigrant Student College Transition and Persistence 25Neo-Racism 26Social-Ecological Model 27Acculturation and Assimilation Th eories 30Social Capital Th eory 36Conclusion 45Access to Higher Education for Immigrant Students 47Generational Status 48Socioeconomic Status 49English Language Profi ciency 52Parental Involvement and Expectations 55Financial Aid 57Conclusion 60Collegiate Experience of Immigrant Students 61College Adjustment and Persistence 62Psychological Development and Acculturation 65Social Identity Development 68Career Aspirations and Development 72Conclusion 74Undocumented Students and Higher Education 77Background on Undocumented Immigrants 79Federal Legislation and Undocumented Students 80State Approaches to Undocumented Students and Higher Education 84Opposition to In-state Tuition Rates for Undocumented Students 88Conclusion 89Immigrant Students and Community Colleges 91Relevant Research on Immigrants at Community Colleges 93Issues Related to Immigrant Students in Community Colleges 97Innovative Programs for Educating Immigrants 102Conclusion 105Concluding Th oughts 109Suggestions for Future Research 110Implications for Policy and Practice 112Conclusion 114Notes 117Appendix 121References 135Name Index 157Subject Index 163About the Authors 169