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Navigating Law School Admissions as an Undocumented Student: Guidance and Stories from Those Who’ve Been There

Becoming a lawyer is an ambitious and meaningful goal. If you’re undocumented or a DACA recipient, you may find yourself questioning whether it’s truly within reach. The good news is that it is. Across the country, undocumented students are earning law degrees, passing the bar, and building impactful legal careers. The journey may come with unique challenges, but it is absolutely possible. This guide is designed to share practical steps, resources, and encouragement to help you move forward with confidence on your path to law school.

We also want to acknowledge and thank the undocumented community members who shared their experiences in shaping this guide, and to recognize organizations like Immigrants Rising—along with the broader immigrant community—whose resilience and leadership continue to inspire us to create resources dedicated to lifting up our own.

Understanding the Journey Ahead

Being an undocumented or DACA recipient on the path to law school presents its own set of challenges. You might encounter legal, financial, and even psychological barriers that can feel overwhelming. But it's crucial to remember that these challenges are not insurmountable. We'll explore how to tackle them head-on.


Practical Guidance for Aspiring Lawyers

Let's dive into some key areas to help you prepare for law school.


🎓Admissions & Eligibility: What You Need to Know

Applying to law school can feel like a maze, and when you add in immigration status, it can get even more complex. Here's what to keep in mind:

  • Disclosure of Immigration Status: Generally, law schools don't require you to explicitly disclose your immigration status on your application, except for the character and fitness statement. However, most schools will ask for your country of citizenship, residence, and visa status.

  • DACA Status and Employment: Having DACA status is a big plus because it grants you temporary lawful presence and work authorization. This is super important for getting a job in the legal field after you graduate. You'll generally need work authorization to be eligible for positions at most law firms and organizations.

  • Career Paths with DACA: If you have DACA or other temporary work authorization, you can pursue careers in private law firms, non-profit organizations, and even government sectors in states that allow you to practice law.

  • Opportunities Without Bar Admission: Even if you don't get bar admission or work authorization right away, a law degree can still open doors. You might consider working as an independent contractor, starting your own law practice (depending on state rules), or exploring job opportunities abroad.

    • Joining a Cooperative: You can also explore joining or starting a worker cooperative. This model allows individuals to come together and own a business, providing a path to use your legal skills and earn a living despite the limitations of certain immigration and employment laws. 

    •  Immigration Law Without Law School

      • You don’t need a JD to serve your community in immigration law. Through the DOJ’s Recognition & Accreditation (R&A) Program, non-lawyers at recognized nonprofits can become accredited representatives:

        • Partial accreditation → represent clients before USCIS.

        • Full accreditation → also represent clients in immigration court.

      • You must work or volunteer with a DOJ-recognized nonprofit, complete training, and apply through the organization. Accreditation lasts 3 years and is renewable.

      • Note: that this program exists at the discretion of the federal government and can be eliminated at any time. 

  • Law Schools and Undocumented Applicants: It's up to each law school to decide whether to admit undocumented students. Some schools have specific requirements.

    • Public vs. Private Schools: Keep in mind that some states, like Georgia, don't allow public institutions to admit undocumented students. However, private schools usually aren't subject to these same state-level restrictions.

    • "Undocumented-Friendly" Law Schools: Some schools openly welcome undocumented and DACAmented students. For example, DePaul University College of Law and UC Berkeley School of Law have publicly stated their support and offer resources. The Dream Bar Association also lists schools that admit students regardless of immigration status, including Cornell, Harvard, Michigan State, and the University of Chicago. This is not an exhaustive list.

  • Bar Admission for DACA Recipients: Whether you can sit for the bar exam varies by state. Here are the rules in CA, NY, TX, and FL.

To find more information for your state, consult the official website of your state's Board of Law Examiners or Supreme Court, and refer to resources like the National Conference of Bar Examiners (NCBE) website's jurisdiction information page.


💰Financial Aid & Scholarships: Finding the Funds

Paying for law school is a big concern for everyone, and it can be especially challenging for undocumented and DACA students. Here's how to navigate financial aid:

  • Federal Aid is Not an Option: Unfortunately, undocumented students, including DACA recipients, are not eligible for federal student aid, like federal loans or federal work-study.

  • State Aid Can Help: Many states and Washington D.C., offer comprehensive access to in-state tuition and state financial aid for undocumented students. For example:

    • California Dream Act (CADAA): CADAA allows undocumented students and DACA recipients to receive certain state-funded financial aid, including state and university grants, community college fee waivers, and Cal Grants. Additionally, it allows you to pay in-state tuition at public colleges and universities in California. Your information on the CADAA application is protected and not shared for immigration enforcement.

Disclaimer: The information provided below regarding private loans is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. We do not endorse or guarantee the services or credibility of any specific organization mentioned. Always conduct your own thorough research and consult with a qualified financial advisor or legal professional before making financial decisions.


🪪LSAT Registration: Navigating ID Requirements

Registering for the LSAT can be a bit tricky if you don't have certain IDs. Here's what you need to know:

  • LSAC Accepted IDs: The Law School Admission Council (LSAC) requires a physical, valid international passport or a physical, valid government-issued photo ID from the U.S., U.S. Territories, or Canada. Your ID needs to be current (or expired within 3 months of the test date) and have a recent photo, your full name, and date of birth.

  • Using Your EAD Card or Foreign Passport:

  • What if You Don't Have a Government-Issued ID? If you're testing in North America and can't get one of the required IDs, you can request LSAC's approval for alternate identification documents. You must complete this step before the registration deadline for your test date.

  • LSAC Fee Waiver: DACA recipients may also be eligible for an LSAC fee waiver, which can be a huge help with application costs.

  • Contacting LSAC: To request an exception or for any questions, you can email LSACinfo@LSAC.org or call 1.800.336.3982 and choose option 0 to speak to a representative.


🫂Resources & Organizations: Your Support System

You don't have to do this alone. There are many organizations and groups dedicated to supporting undocumented students.

  • National and Regional Organizations:

    • National Immigration Law Center (NILC): Advocates for expanded access to higher education for all, regardless of immigration status.

    • Immigrants Rising: A fantastic organization with comprehensive resources and support for undocumented students.

    • MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund): A civil rights organization that advocates for educational access and legal services for the Latino community.

    • TheDream.US: Focuses on scholarships but also offers guidance.

    • Higher Ed Immigration Portal: Provides state-specific data, policies, and resources.

  • Free Legal Services or Consulting:

    • UC Immigrant Legal Services Centers: If you're a UC student, these centers offer free immigration services.

    • Immigration Law Help: A free website to help you find legal help and non-profits.

    • Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC): Offers legal assistance, policy support, and advocacy.

  • Peer Support Groups & Networks:

    • Immigrants Rising Mentorship Service: Connects undocumented students with undocumented peers and professionals for mentorship.

    • Campus-Specific Undocumented/Dreamer Centers: Many universities have dedicated centers that offer resources, workshops, and connect students to peer networks.

    • UndocuScholars Network: A broader network for undocumented scholars and allies.

  • State-Specific Guides: Look for resources tailored to your state, like those from California LAW Pathways, the Texas Higher Ed Immigration Portal, or the New York City Comptroller's Office.


Student Stories

We believe it’s critical to center the voices of those who’ve lived this experience, because no one understands the undocumented journey to law school better than the students who’ve walked it. The following stories come directly from undocumented students who have navigated the law school admissions process and are now pursuing their legal education. We asked them to reflect on their journeys, including what inspired them to apply, what barriers they faced, and what advice they would offer to others in similar situations. Their words have been left as-is—honest, powerful, and deeply personal. We hope their stories serve as a reminder that there is no single path to law school, and that your experience is not only valid, but needed in this profession.

Q: Can you share a little about yourself, your background, and your journey to law school? 

A: My journey to law school has been a bit non-traditional and diverted at times, but I’ve made it to where I am today. I am a first generation law student born in San Luis Potosi, Mexico, raised in Texas. Most of my education, up to my undergrad, took place in Texas so I feel that I was really lucky in that I was able to take advantage of the Texas DREAM Act. I chose to pursue a political science degree with an emphasis in pre-law because I had in mind that I wanted to one day go to law school, even taking part in my school’s moot court team all four years of undergrad at the suggestion of one of my professors who was aware of my interest in law school. While my dream to pursue law school was always there, I was also aware of the very real challenges that exist to practicing law as an undocumented person, even with DACA and having a work permit. I put off attending law school and actually worked as a legal assistant at an immigration law firm for a few years because I was afraid DACA would be cancelled and wanted to work while I still could also get some legal experience in case I one day could resume my law school dream. Then, I decided that even if I couldn’t pursue my legal dream, I would return to school to get my master’s and try to serve my community in a different capacity while I still could. Even while I did my master’s, I kept getting drawn back to the legal side of the classes I took including an internship I did. I finally decided that the state of the world and the instability of what was happening, both in the world and in my own situation with the state of DACA in the courts, would no longer hold me back from going to law school and I finally took the plunge and applied to law school. I did research and found what states allowed undocumented/DACAmented persons to practice, where I could attend that offered decent financial aid, etc., and luckily, with having moved to New York State for my master’s program, I was in the perfect place to do it. - Rebeca, Syracuse University College of Law


A: I’m a DACA recipient. I was born in Mexico and immigrated to the U.S. when I was four. I grew up in Texas (and identify as a Texan) but recently moved to New York City for law school. I’m the first in my family to graduate from an American high school, the first to attend college, and now the first to go to law school. I’m also the oldest of four siblings, so I’ve always had to be the first to figure things out. Thankfully, I got a full ride scholarship to Texas Christian University so I graduated from college 100% debt free. After undergrad, I worked full-time for two years as a legal assistant. That experience solidified that I wanted to be a lawyer. Even though I didn’t grow up seeing people in this profession who looked like me or shared my background, working in a law firm made it feel possible. - Zayda, St. John's University Law School


A: My parents committed the greatest act of love by migrating to this country and I am their proud eldest daughter. I grew up in a rural farm working community, having faced many injustices led me to advocate for my family and unodcu community. Although we continue to be systematically silenced, I am committed to amplifying undocumented voices. I aspire to support my community navigate this intentionally complex legal system and work alongside them to fight for our liberation. Throughout my undergraduate career, I recognized the importance of intersectional organizing by building coalitions and solidarity. This summer I was a Peggy Browning Fellow and my commitment to my community only continues to grow. That is why I will be a community and movement lawyer who prioritizes human dignity and treats everyone with the respect they deserve.  - Jocelyn Granados Mejia, University of Washington School of Law


Q: What inspired you to pursue law school?

A: I honestly credit a few different moments in life with inspiring me to pursue law school but if I had to pinpoint two moments they would be, in the 8th grade when I read about Justice Sonia Sotomayor and her selection to the Supreme Court. Seeing someone that looked and sounded like me on the highest court made a dream like mine seem possible and inspired me to set myself on the path I find myself today. The second would be when I was in undergrad, anytime I was in front of a panel of judges making an argument and being sent question after question about constitutional issues I had come to know like the back of my hand, I just knew that the law was something I wanted to pursue. It inspired me to continue not only competing but also inspired my passion for being an advocate for others which drives my pursuit in law school even today. - Rebeca, Syracuse University College of Law


A: Being the oldest, a child of immigrants, and undocumented meant I had to navigate a lot of systems on my own. I have been figuring out how to handle higher education, jobs, legal documents, and translating for my parents since I can remember. Law school wasn’t always the obvious path, but I have always loved reading and writing. Over time I realized it was the right one. People assumed I’d go into immigration law, but that has always felt too personal and too close to home. I’m glad I gave myself the space to explore other areas of law. After graduation, I will be working in the finance sector, which I never expected, but I’ve found it both challenging and exciting. - Zayda, St. John's University Law School


A: For me, there was not just one moment to which I can pinpoint to where I decided that this was my path. Rather, a cumulation of things and experiences. For example, one of them includes being an undocumented Latina who grew up in a small rural town also known as a labor camp where my family and I continue to face a lot of the injustices. As farmworkers, my parents put their bodies on the line every day to cultivate the beautiful apples you see at the grocery stores. What often gets overlooked is their callous hands, tired feet, injuries, health issues due to intensive labor and pesticide exposure, etc. I aspire to live in a future where my parents are valued for their humanity and not for the produce they cultivate.  - Jocelyn Granados Mejia, University of Washington School of Law 


Q: What was the hardest part about applying as an undocumented/Dacamented student?

A: One of the hardest parts of applying as an undocumented/DACAmented student is definitely the financial aspect. I know that having DACA puts me in a privileged position that even undocumented students do not have access to but even then, there are still other limitations that exist to what kinds of aid we can apply for including scholarships that place citizenship requirements in addition to the scarce grad level scholarships that already exist. There is also the issue of the types of loans that we are able to undertake, leaving us limited only to private loans with much higher interest rates and requiring much more detailed research and careful planning. Another unexpected challenge/barrier was in the application process itself was that in applying online, some law school applications did not have the capabilities or flexibility to allow for undocumented/DACA students to apply, only allowing for an option as an international student (with a student visa) or citizens/residents. This put me in a difficult position of marking something that was misleading (which I did not want to do) or writing an affidavit in my application that might force me to detail my situation when I did not want to and make a difficult/uncomfortable choice. - Rebeca, Syracuse University College of Law


A: Financing law school has been, without a doubt, the hardest part. DACA recipients aren’t eligible for any federal financial aid, and private loans often require a U.S. citizen cosigner—something I don’t have. Even though I worked and saved money before law school, it hasn’t been enough to cover all three years. After my 1L year, I ran into issues because of my debt-to-income ratio, and without a cosigner, accessing more private loans has been impossible. It’s something I think a lot of people don’t realize when they encourage undocumented students to pursue graduate school. Unfortunately, the stress is not just about getting in, it’s about being able to stay. - Zayda, St. John's University Law School


A: The hardest thing about applying to law school was securing funding. I was very intentional about applying to law school that offered full-tuition scholarships. This was a very time consuming application process, competitive, and often hard to navigate not only as undocu but as a first gen anything.  - Jocelyn Granados Mejia, University of Washington School of Law  


Q: What resources or strategies helped you the most?

A: FundingU is a borrowing program that has loans specifically designed for DACA recipients that match interest rates similar to federal grad loans which has been very helpful in paying for school. I have been lucky in finding a couple of mentors in my school that are aware of my status and have been so supportive throughout my situation and in light of the recent election that I have relied on. MPower is another resource, they offer scholarships but also loans to international students including DACA and undocumented students that some may find helpful. The Puerto Rican Bar Association and Dominican Bar Association are another two programs that offer significant aid and support that do not require citizenship that might offer some assistance in paying for school. - Rebeca, Syracuse University College of Law


A: Honestly, law school admissions is a numbers game, and my biggest strategy was to focus on my LSAT score. My score opened the door to scholarships which was essential since federal loans were not an option. I ended up choosing St. John’s Law because they offered me a full-tuition unconditional scholarship, which made a huge difference. Outside of funding, having professors and administrators in my corner has helped a lot. I’ve also relied on my family, friends, and even other DACAmented or first-gen students who get it. Sometimes just knowing you’re not alone makes things a little bit easier. - Zayda, St. John's University Law School


A: Similar to the hardest part. What helped me the most was getting connected to undocu & DACA folks who have gone through this process before or even with just other Latinas in law school. Pre-Law programs helped tremendously not only to learn about the application process, but I was connected with mentors who believed in me and supported (and continue to do so) me when applying. Times are different, and folks, righteously so, should do a risk assessment about disclosing their status. I am very open about it (I think being a DACA recipient, somewhat gives me "protection" but also the government already has all my info of where to find me) thus I was open to admission folks about my status and asked directly how they support undocu folks. To my surprise, Rutgers Law prioritizes undocu folks in their financial aid and offered me a 80% scholarship. Lastly, I am more than happy to be a resource to any undocu folk thinking about law school and supporting in any way I can.  - Jocelyn Granados Mejia, University of Washington School of Law  

 

Q: How did your legal status impact your decision on which law schools to apply to or states that you might want to live in?

A: As I mentioned before, I had to do research about which states allowed DACAmented/undocumented law students to practice/be barred in their states and relied on this in large part when deciding which states to apply to law school. Even now, when I consider which states to apply to for jobs, I keep this in mind in case any were to change with my status in the future. I also keep in mind the policies of states in general towards immigrants, using websites like the Higher Ed immigration portal website which keep track of states' policy changes. - Rebeca, Syracuse University College of Law  


A: My legal status impacted/impacts everything. I had to be strategic about where I applied, whether I’d be allowed to sit for the bar, and whether I could work in that state as a DACA recipient. My biggest deciding factor was affordability, and I turned down higher ranked schools because I did not want to take out 6-figure loans with the extremely high interest rates that private loans come with. In the end, I chose to attend law school at St. John’s because of my full tuition scholarship and the opportunities available here. I plan to stay in NYC, but I hope to be admitted to both the New York and Texas bars. - Zayda, St. John's University Law School


A: I knew that I wanted to stay in WA because of my family, thus it helped me reduce where to apply but I still applied to at least 4 schools out of state just in case I didn't get in any school in WA. I think strategically and due to my status I did not even consider about moving or applying to Florida, Texas, Arizona, etc other states not to be undocu friendly.  - Jocelyn Granados Mejia, University of Washington School of Law  


Q: What advice would you give to someone who is undocumented and thinking about applying to law school?  

A: I would say first to not give up and think that it is impossible simply because of your status, because the support and opportunities are out there but I will also say to be ready to do the work, the research, and be prepared to plan carefully for what you want to do. Law school is a commitment regardless, and it is all about how much you want to do and what you are willing to put into it. I also recommend finding other undocumented/DACAmented law students who are on a similar path or at least finding a community you trust for support because in those time that it gets discouraging, sometimes it is those voices that will give you the push you need to keep going when you feel you don't belong or it's not worth the challenge. - Rebeca, Syracuse University College of Law


A: First, make sure the state you want to practice in will allow you to sit for the bar. That’s super important. Second, finances matter, even more for those of us who have no other option besides private loans. Full scholarships do exist, but many are based on numbers, so invest the time and energy in your LSAT prep. Also, it’s okay to take a detour. I took two years to work and save money, and that gave me much-needed clarity and experience. Lastly, give yourself grace. Sometimes, focusing on school is the last thing on my mind with everything going on politically. But I’m grateful to be at a school where my professors and administrators support me. Your path might not look traditional, and it doesn’t have to! - Zayda, St. John's University Law School


A: My piece of advice is that undocu folks have existed before DACA, and done incredible things like attending law school. Although your status may limit some of your opportunities, it does NOT define you. You get to decide and build the future that you want. Being undocumented for me has given me a lot of creativity, resiliency, and community and these are strengths that will help you through whatever journey you choose.  - Jocelyn Granados Mejia, University of Washington School of Law  


You Are Capable

Being undocumented does not mean you are unworthy or incapable of achieving your dreams. Your path might be tougher, but it also means you're incredibly resilient, determined, and resourceful. These are exactly the qualities that make a great lawyer.

Lean on your community, whether that's your family, friends, mentors, or the organizations listed in this guide. There's a whole network of people who believe in you and want to see you succeed.

Your Story Matters

We know your journey is unique and powerful. If you're comfortable, we invite you to share your story anonymously to inspire others in the comments, or even consider volunteering to mentor future undocumented and DACA students. Your experiences can light the way for someone else.


Jocelyn has graciously shared this list of resources and helpful tips that she used when she was applying to law school.  We encourage you to check it out and use it to help you on your own journey.



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