Laura E. Enriquez

Laura E. Enriquez is Associate Professor of Chicano/Latino Studies at the University of California, Irvine, where she conducts critical research on immigration, education, and family dynamics. Her work bridges sociology and ethnic studies, focusing on the lived experiences of undocumented young adults and mixed-status families.

Her research interests center on how immigration policies shape social, educational, and familial life. She explores how legal status intersects with gender and race to constrain opportunities, particularly in higher education and intimate relationships. Her book Of Love and Papers illustrates how immigration enforcement permeates personal domains, affecting romance, parenting, and intergenerational mobility. Through narrative and ethnographic methods, she brings visibility to the emotional and structural toll of illegality.

The themes in her work—such as legal violence, resilience, and policy impact—reflect a consistent focus on social justice and equity. While no specific articles are listed, her research trajectory emphasizes qualitative, policy-relevant scholarship with real-world implications for immigrant communities.

• National Academy of Education/Spencer Postdoctoral Fellowship

Dr. Enriquez is Principal Investigator on two major research initiatives: the Undocumented Student Equity Project and the UC Collaborative to Promote Immigrant and Student Equity. These projects examine systemic barriers in higher education and advocate for institutional reforms. She advises on policy and practice, working with campuses across the University of California system to support undocumented students. Though no formal advisees are listed, her leadership suggests mentorship of graduate and undergraduate researchers.

She leads collaborative research teams focused on immigrant student equity, working across institutions to generate data-driven recommendations for inclusive policies. Her work fosters interdisciplinary dialogue between sociology, education, and public policy.