Learning from the shadows: An exploration of the impact of Washington State’s instate tuition policy on undocumented immigrant students and institutions of higher education

In 2003, Governor Gary Locke of Washington signed HB 1079 The Student Residency Tuition Adjustment Act into law. This law allows qualifying undocumented students to attend public post-secondary institutions as instate students for tuition purposes. Since then, students who have taken advantage of this opportunity have been faced with a number of issues unlike any other students on campus today. Simul taneously, institutions serving these students have had to re-examine their policies, and procedures as they relate to this distinctive population. Through interviews with seven undocumented students currently enrolled in one particular university and through observations, interactions, and reflections as a university administrator working with undocumented and other at-risk students, this research explores the unique issues and implications of undocumented students attending university as instate residents and the impact of their attendance on the institution.