Dreamers with college degrees and work authorization are earning more than their parents and achieving social mobility across a wide range of professions, according to new research by TheDream.us and Golden Door Scholars.
The survey interviewed more than 2,000 alumni of a scholarship program run by the two organizations, following up on a similar 2022 survey that found a 94% workforce participation rate among the program’s graduates.
The new survey found that 66% of respondents are the first in their family to attend college; 63 percent earn more than their parents combined – compared to 50 percent in 2022; home ownership increased to 14%, up from 10% two years ago; and 26 percent of respondents are their household’s main providers, compared to 22 percent in 2022.
“The survey report illustrates a critical truth: When given the opportunity, Dreamers don’t just succeed – they excel. At Golden Door Scholars, we are committed to turning undocumented students’ dreams into tangible successes,” said CEO Lisa Shasky.
The scholarship primarily serves Dreamers, undocumented immigrants who arrived in the United States as minors, whether or not they have work status through programs like Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
The typical survey participant is 26 years old and arrived in the United States at age 4.
DACA beneficiaries represent 76 percent of survey respondents, 11 percent are permanent residents, 8 percent are undocumented, 3 percent are Temporary Protected Status beneficiaries and 2 percent have other status.
The research found drastic differences in outcomes between Dreamers with work authorization and those without work authorization.
Of respondents with work authorization, 93 percent said they were currently working and 7 percent said they were looking for work; just 69 percent of respondents without work authorization said they were currently working and 31 percent said they were looking.
Although the number of participants in the program without work authorization is relatively low, it has almost tripled to 8% of respondents, up from 3% in 2022.
And with the legality of DACA up in the air, most graduates of the scholarship program fear they could be sidetracked from their careers.
A large majority – 96 percent – of alumni said they felt some level of anxiety about their immigration status in the past year, and 59 percent said losing their work authorization is their biggest professional concern.
“Despite the demonstrated successes of DACA and other opportunities for Dreamers to unleash their potential, many of our alumni are anxious about their futures or unable to put their degrees to work. No doubt many of their employers share this anxiety, knowing that the future of their valued employees’ work authorization remains uncertain,” said Gaby Pacheco, president of TheDream.us.
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
