Equity Exemplar: How De Anza College Is Institutionalizing Support for AB 540 Students

California, a sanctuary state, is home to more than 2.3 million undocumented individuals.¹ Within this population, Asian Americans are the fastest-growing undocumented racial group nationwide, comprising 21% of the state’s undocumented residents.² Immigrants in California come from dozens of countries,³ including nine Asian countries,⁴ underscoring the diversity of undocumented experiences across the state. Undocumented students are expected to navigate higher education amid shifting federal and state policies, heightened immigration enforcement practices, and increasing concerns about data privacy. These conditions can create a chilling effect, discouraging students from attending school, accessing resources, or accessing financial aid.⁵ As a result, student well-being is compromised, and institutions face challenges in fully understanding and addressing student needs. At a time when undocumented students face growing uncertainty around safety and privacy, institutional support plays a critical role in promoting access, belonging, and persistence. Focused institutional efforts such as De Anza College’s Higher Education for AB 540 Students (HEFAS) program⁶ highlight the importance of intentional, equity-centered support structures that accompany students on their academic journey.