In this dissertation, I qualitatively explore the everyday lived experiences of thirty-three 1.5 generation undocumented youth (1.5GUY) in the United States. Specifically, I examine how 1.5GUY experience and cope with sense of belonging (SofB) in their everyday lives in relation to their undocumented legal status (ULS). These youth, who have migrated at or before the age of twelve, have grown up and been socialized in the United States. Due to the Supreme Court Case, Plyler v. Doe (1982), primary and secondary (K- 12) educational access has been extended to all children, regardless of legal immigration status. Because the 1.5GUY have the opportunity to participate in everyday social, educational, and cultural life even despite their ULS, their experiences of belonging are relatively privileged in relation to their second generation undocumented contemporaries. However, their opportunity for participation parity is temporary, decreasing, and comes to an abrupt end during their transitions to adulthood, when the need for legal status becomes increasingly more salient in everyday life. In my exploratory and phenomenological study, I analyze narratives constructed through semistructured interviews with 1.5GUY and supplement this material with data from participant observation. In my examination, I focus on the relationship between ULS and SofB in everyday life, and especially the relationship between emotions, experiences, and performances. I analyze empirical material for the presence of emotions and experiences related to SofB, for example attachment, comfort, inclusion, participation, identification, safety, and community and conversely, insecurity, instability, uncertainty, doubt, compromised identity, and exclusion that may influence SofB. I am interested in the banalities of everyday scenarios—actions, interactions, and locations—that shape the 1.5GUY’s SofB. To capture the dynamics and diversity of experiences, emotions, and coping strategies related to SofB, I incorporate theories of identity, recognition, and citizenship, and related concepts such as the right to the city, participation parity, and coming out.
