This was a correlational study of 30 Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals-Mexico origin (D-MO) students at 2- and 4-year higher education institutions in the 4-state United States-Mexican Borderlands region (California, Arizona, Texas, and New Mexico). The study used an online survey to gain a better understanding of the relationship of four variables (a) Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Status, (b) sense of belonging, (c) college climate for diversity, and (d) college financial expense anxiety to the DACA student's intent to persist to degree completion. The study's conclusions demonstrated that the D-MO student's sense of belonging about feeling valued at the institution and college financial expense anxiety were both positively correlated to their intent to persist. Also, the study provided insight into additional significantly positive correlations between the D-MO student's perception of how their immigration status was respected on campus and various other elements of the variables. The results of this study demonstrated the importance of recognizing that D-MO students are persisting through college despite many real and perceived barriers that exist. Having a better understanding of what this vulnerable student population is feeling and thinking may help university staff better understand variables influencing D-MO students' intent to persist and encourage enhanced student experiences that may increase persistence to degree completion. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]