Are We Prepared to Protect and Advocate for Undocumented Students?

The evolving national landscape of higher education (HED) is making the start of this academic year unlike any other. Research grants have been suddenly terminated, universities are battling federal lawsuits, and HED institutions have been pressured to systematically dismantle Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) offices, just to name a few of the stunning attacks on higher education.

 Dr. Federick J. NgoThe start of the upcoming semester is especially uncertain and chaotic for the nation’s over 400,000 undocumented college students, who face considerable stressors on multiple fronts. We summarize the major crises undocumented college students are facing and offer some practical ways for HED leaders to be prepared to support these students on campus this year.

Raids & Kidnappings

We have all seen the videos. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) states they are only seeking out undocumented “criminals” yet they have found themselves arresting and kidnapping people, including U.S. citizens, in stores, malls, and public parks. Recent immigration raids have also rounded up children and infiltrated previously protected spaces, including hospitals, courtrooms, and places of worship. Could college classrooms be next? 

The answer is Yes. We have already seen that immigrant students across the country like Marcelo Gomes da Silva, Alan Pierre, Caroline Dias Goncalves, Mahmoud Khalil, and Rümeysa Öztürk have been detained by ICE. The reality is that high school, undergraduate, and graduate students have been arrested and placed in for-profit detention centers under the current administration. According to thisstatement, DHS has rescinded prior guidelines about ICE avoiding “sensitive” areas like churches and schools.

This is beyond worrisome for people interested in education. Research has already traced the negative impact of immigration raids on youth, including reduced attendance and worse educational outcomes. The health and psychological effects are also profound; substance use disorder, depression, self-harm, suicide attempts, and sexual abuse were found to significantly increase in communities that experienced raids.Dr. Juanita Hinojosa

While K-12 districts in some areas of the country are actively creating policies such as “safe zones” to support and protect students, higher education institutions have been mostly silent. Are we prepared to act when on-campus raids happen?