Ask the Editors

Today, we begin a two-part photo-based series profiling undocumented immigrants who are also students at UCLA. Their stories represent the remarkable challenges many undocumented students across the nation are willing to face just to get an education. As a result of their immigration statuses, these students are unable to receive financial aid. To pay their fees, many juggle one or more odd jobs along with classes – Stephanie Solis, an undocumented student profiled today, worked at a cardboard box warehouse. Unfortunately for many of these students, the job market can look just as grim even after graduation because they lack proof of legal residence to provide for potential employers.

The time and effort put into telling these stories has been remarkable. Staff photographer Jessica Chou spent countless hours with the four students profiled in this package ­– even taking trips to join them in places like San Francisco, Boston, Sacramento and Santa Ana. The result, we hope, is a candid and rich visual account of the struggles faced by undocumented students, both individually and collectively, in their quests for a college education.

If you have any questions or comments, please e-mail staff photographer Jessica Chou at jchou@media.ucla.edu.