The Role of Family in the Civic Lives of Undocumented Asian College Students

Abstract:Stemming from a participatory action research approach, this qualitative study examined the role of family in the civic development of undocumented Asian college students. Guided by theories of civic development, family politics, and family activism, this study presents three portraits of undocumented Asian college students to draw attention to the central role of both given and chosen families in supporting undocumented Asian (Chinese and Filipino) students’ civic development and engagement. Through the three portraits, we highlighted the intergenerational and intragenerational transmission of civic values and engagement and a broader conceptualization of family in the lives of undocumented Asian students. This research has important implications for understanding how family is a central pillar of activism and resistance against an oppressive society for undocumented and mixed-status immigrant families.