In the wake of the President’s Executive Order on immigration, which essentially banned all immigrants coming into the United States from seven countries (Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen), many college and university presidents have released statements proclaiming their commitment to international students.
These students were reassured that they would be supported and protected by their institution and continue to be valued as part of the campus community. These statements have been lauded and highlighted by many as proof that institutions are dedicated to fighting nativist sentiments which are becoming much more visible (and some would believe acceptable) since the election of a new president this past November.
After reading some of the statements released since the Jan. 27 implementation of the Executive Order which was then blocked by a federal judge, I must say that I have been pleasantly surprised to see that, while proclaiming to protect immigrant and international students on campus, some institutions have included undocumented and DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) students in their statements.
Colorado State University’s president, Dr. Tony Frank, recognized that students from banned countries are not the only ones affected by immigration policies, and shared “we are also actively engaged with our national organizations such as APLU (Association of Public & Land-Grant Universities), providing them the data needed to help make the broader case in support of all of our international, DACA, and ASSET students.”
Dr. John M. Dunn, president of Western Michigan University, also included DACA students in their message and described his willingness to protect this student group by stating, “It is my intent as president to do all in my power to protect and advocate for our international students. That includes those who are currently protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals — DACA—policy.”
This recognition of undocumented and DACA students is especially important in states that have policies in place that further marginalize and oppress this student population by denying access to enroll in state universities or pay in-state tuition.
These statements, with messages of building and protecting an inclusive community, are great to see, but the reality is not all campuses have included undocumented and DACA students in their statements. This reality is disturbing, to say the least, especially as we reflect on the fact that more undocumented immigrants, including students, were deported under President Obama than during any other administration. More than 2.5 million people were deported throughout Obama’s administration, and during all of that time, there was no major push or declarations of protection for these students who have been vulnerable targets of the U.S. government for years.
