1. Exceptional students, marginal lives
Undocumented immigrants
Undocumented children and young adults
The study
2. Growing up American and undocumented
Socioeconomic characteristics of undocumented families
Social and educational constraints
Social and psychological resources
Conclusion
3. Academic engagement
Academic resilience
Academic engagement
Extracurricular activities
Conclusion
4. Civic engagement
Factors that shape civic engagement
Undocumented student activism
Conclusion
5. The primary gateway to higher education
The community college as gateway and gatekeeper
Undocumented students at the community college
Conclusion
6. Undocumented college graduates and the impact of legal status
Liminal legality
Undocumented college graduates
Legalization and integration
Formerly undocumented college graduates
Conclusion
7. Conclusion
Overview of main findings
Immigrant paradox
Next steps
Final thoughts.