As we settle into the new year, the world has already witnessed several significant historical moments, marking the beginning of a pivotal chapter in the United States.
Within the first month alone, we saw the inauguration of our 47th president Donald Trump accompanied by a series of executive orders. Among these orders, one stands out for its potential to disrupt the foundation of our educational system: a controversial order that empowers federal immigration enforcement agencies to conduct raids on school campuses.
This shocking decision by Trump threatens not only the educational experiences of countless students across the nation, but also undermines their sense of safety, security and belonging within the places where they should feel most protected.
The ripple effects of this policy extend beyond immigration law. It reaches into the hearts and minds of current and future students, casting a shadow over the promise of education as a sanctuary for all and a fear of gaining a higher education.
“I never thought it would come to the point where I would have to worry about my safety while getting an education on campus. We aren’t criminals; we just want to learn so that there is a better future for us and our families,” said a second-year student to The Star. They have requested to remain anonymous due to their families immigration status.
After the Inauguration of President Trump, The U.S. Department of Homeland Security overturned protections for areas like churches, hospitals, schools and college campuses, where immigration enforcement actions couldn’t take place previously.
With all of the media coverage of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, anxiety has spread throughout California. Confirmed sightings of ICE activity have been reported in major cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Sacramento, San Jose, and Bakersfield, while false reports have also emerged in communities closer to Sonoma State, like Santa Rosa. This uncertainty is extremely unsettling as rumors of ICE presence disrupt communities and contribute to a growing climate of fear.
“Misinformation is so scary because it just makes it more chaotic,” said an anonymous third-year student at Sonoma State. “I tell my parents to be careful what they read because it can cause you to stress over things that aren’t real.”
As an undocumented student, they are concerned when they hear the news of the raids happening across California, but strive to keep their parents safe from false reports.
The problem with misinformation is that it spreads faster than anyone thinks. We all look at social media and want to stay up to date on what is happening. One post on Reddit reported that there were sightings of ICE at Home Depot in Rohnert Park and Foodmaxx in Santa Rosa.
“The Hispanic community does so much for this country,” said another student with immigrant parents. “We are the backbone of this country; working in the fields to give you fresh food, building homes, and just giving our blood, sweat, and tears into our work.”
Even though raids are occurring throughout the country, California Governor Gavin Newsom is wanting to protect immigrants in California and defend them against the Trump administration. Newsom has set aside $50 million to protect policies against the Trump administration’s mass-deportation plans.
Half of the money will be set aside for California’s Department of Justice to fight against the federal government and the other $25 million will be set aside for legal groups to defend immigrants facing deportation.
While it may seem like the future is uncertain in the face of these raids, it is essential to remember that there are resources available to help support and protect those affected by these policies. At Sonoma State University, students can find a network of services dedicated to easing the burden of fear and providing a sense of security during these challenging times.
The Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC) offers a “Know Your Rights” red card, a powerful resource that can help students and other individuals know and communicate their rights if confronted by immigration officers. This is an essential tool to provide guidance on understanding how to protect oneself from deportation or illegal detention attempts.
The DREAM Center, Seawolf Services, and The HUB Cultural Center provides free printed Red Cards on campus. More information about various resources and guidelines for when communicating with immigrant enforcement officers is available online with contact information as well.
In times like these, it’s easy to feel disheartened or powerless, but no one is alone. There is strength in our community at Sonoma State, and when we come together to protect each other, we reaffirm that education is a space where fear shouldn’t dictate who belongs here and who doesn’t.
We need to continue to push for policies that protect all students, regardless of their background, status, and race and demand that our schools remain spaces of safety, learning, and opportunity.
