SAN MARCOS- New federal immigration laws issued by President Donald Trump have caused turmoil for students at Texas State. Students are divided on the policies, the removal of DACA in particular, that would affect them, their families and friends on campus and have reacted by protesting, posting flyers and drawing attention to their opinion on the topic.
In September 2017, President Donald Trump ordered an end to the DACA, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, program that protects young undocumented immigrants from deportation. According to the New York Times, it was created back on June 15, 2012 by President Barack Obama and was put into effect Aug. 15 that same year. Nearly 800,000 undocumented youth are under this program and thousands could lose their job and student status should Trump decide to phase out the program.
Not only are students concerned for the end to DACA across the nation, but more locally, Texas has enacted Senate Bill 4. Signed in May by Governor Greg Abbott, but went into effect Sept. 1, this bill aims to outlaw sanctuary cities and campuses, according to the Texas Tribune. Police officers will now be able to question a person’s immigration status and take them into custody.
Junior Alondra Saucedo, 20, is one of the many students at Texas State who is opposed to and fearful of these federal mandates.
“I think Senate Bill 4 is representative of the incredible anti-immigrant sentiment that’s going around recently especially since the beginning of the elections,” Saucedo said. “So I think they’re much harsher for unnecessary reasons because immigration is actually down for the first time in a long time.”
With a campus population of 38,000 students, many at Texas State have protested against Trump’s decision on DACA and on Sept. 5 on the Alkek stairs, students sat for a silent demonstration with signs that read “Defend DACA” and “Educated, Unafraid, Undocumented.”
“Being a DACA student and being able to receive DACA just gives them a security blanket to be able to study here on campus or study at any university of their choosing and have a feeling that they will not be deported,” said Emily Alvarenga, 21, who took part in the protest back in September.
In spite of the dispute that has grown, others on campus are in favor of the mandate, such as freshman Rudy Montero, 18, who believes illegal immigrants should be detained in order to keep our country safe.
“I think [Trump’s immigration policies] are good for the most past because there are some people that are living here illegally that aren’t contributing at all,” Montero said. “They’re just causing problems and committing crimes and those people should face consequences.”
The dismantle of DACA and it’s order by President Trump is even commended by some students as they approve of the new federal policies and the executive branch’s power.
“I do believe that if they are illegal they should be deported,” said Colin Massey, 19. “I don’t think it would matter [if lawyers were to help DACA recipients] regardless. I don’t have a strong viewpoint, but I’m sure it wouldn’t because you’ll be going against Trump.”
For information, support and empowerment for students who are concerned with these policies, contact the Office of Student Diversity and Inclusion at 512.245.2278.
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