Literature shows that undocumented students in the United States experience significant challenges to and through higher education. Only a few studies have uncovered the mechanisms that undocumented students use to persist in college; in particular, the role that family plays on their postsecondary success is understudied. In this qualitative study, I examine the role that family plays on undocumented students’ college aspirations and persistence. Findings from a sample of 16 undocumented students attending a four-year public university show that their families are the stimulus motivating them to pursue higher education, as well as the support system they can rely on to manage college barriers. However, the data also revealed that for a few participants, their families are a source of stress, resulting in additional challenges they must manage as they navigate higher education. I present these findings using participants’ vignettes and conclude with implications for higher education research and practice.

文献表明，在美国，没有证件的学生在接受高等教育方面以及通过高等教育都面临着重大挑战。只有很少的研究揭示了无证件学生用来坚持大学的机制。尤其是，人们对家庭在中学毕业后的成功中所扮演的角色进行了研究。在这项定性研究中，我研究了家庭在无证件学生的大学志向和毅力中所扮演的角色。从就读四年制公立大学的16名无证学生的样本中发现，他们的家庭是激励他们继续接受高等教育的动力，以及他们可以依靠的支持系统来管理大学障碍。但是，数据还显示，对于一些参与者来说，他们的家庭是压力的根源，导致他们在接受高等教育时必须应对的其他挑战。我使用参与者的短片介绍了这些发现，并总结了对高等教育研究和实践的意义。