In 1994, California was in the throes of an economic recession, its unemployment rate increasing rapidly as it continued to bleed jobs in once flourishing industries. At the same time, it had the largest population of undocumented residents of any state in the country, already up to 1.3 million and getting larger. Read more...

Photo: Laura Emiko Soltis is the director of Freedom University, an Atlanta based advocacy school that supports undocumented students in their desire to pursue higher education. (Photo by Angie Wang)

Alma Alvarado was home alone when she found out she got into UCLA. She was living in a small apartment in Planada, California, just outside Merced. She was often there by herself, because her older brother, the only other member of her household, worked long hours. On this day, she sat alone at home again, and opened her laptop with her heart in her throat. Read more...

Photo: Alma Alvarado is one of about 450 undocumented students attending UCLA. She is a third-year Spanish and anthropology student and a member of Improving Dreams, Equality, Access and Success. (Photo by Angie Wang)