On this campus, there are no walls
CSU-Pueblo’s Latino Student Union pitch welcoming messaging on inclusivity as 250 students affected by someone with undocumented status.
CSU-Pueblo’s Latino Student Union pitch welcoming messaging on inclusivity as 250 students are affected by someone with undocumented status.
The Latino Student Union of Colorado State University-Pueblo opened a weekly meeting in February with a solemn discussion about new immigration policies.
The group was mostly silent as a member read from an NBC News article, which outlined two memos issued by the Department of Homeland Security. Despite a few jokes that were made in an attempt to lighten the mood, an overlying tension filled the room.
The message from the article was clear: undocumented Latinos could be negatively affected by the proposed policy changes.
Even though uncertainty about how to handle the changes remains, the LSU continues to reach out to both the community of Pueblo and the student population at CSU-Pueblo by promoting a message of inclusivity.
First, the club distributed a flier across CSU-Pueblo’s campus in January.
“Dear undocumented students,” it read. “On this campus, there are no walls. You belong here. You are loved.”
Jennifer Alanis, one of the advisers for LSU, explained that the message was an attempt to promote solidarity for the various people groups on-campus. The flier also mentioned female students, African American students and Muslim students.
The support did not end there. It addressed the entire campus.
“We will get through this day, this year, together. We will respect each other. We will work to understand one another. You are a beloved part of this country and campus community,” it said.
Fears have been heightened recently as the Obama-era immigration policies have been revised by the Trump administration. On January 25, President Trump released an executive order to secure the southern border of the United States, calling for the hire of 5,000 additional border patrol agents and 10,000 Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, not to mention his campaign promise of constructing a border wall.
Less than a month later, two memos were issued by DHS which further outlined the goals of the executive order. These include expanding the expedited removal section, allowing immigrants to be “removed from the United States without further hearing or review”, listing only a few exceptions.
Other provisions include creating joint task forces composed of federal, state and local law enforcement officers to apprehend criminals at the border.
Although the memos must undergo a federal approval process, these policies are expected to have a profound effect on those who are not U.S. citizens. Several media reports point out that immigration advocates are overwhelmed with questions and fears many people around the county who reside in the US illegally have.
Victoria Obregon, director of the College Assisted Migrant Program at CSU-Pueblo and LSU advisor, said 250 CSU-Pueblo students are affected by someone who has undocumented status.
Most members of LSU know someone who is undocumented. Organization members worry that changes in policy will lead to possible ICE raids in the community.
“On a personal note, I know a lot of people who would be directly affected or impacted if ICE raids began in Colorado,” said Victoria Ruiz, president of LSU. “As president of LSU, it’s hard to be able to lead students under these circumstances because I don’t know what to tell them,” she said.
“We will get through this day, this year, together. We will respect each other. We will work to understand one another. You are a beloved part of this country and campus community.” — the letter distributed by the LSU
Genesis Enriquez, education coordinator for LSU, also expressed concern. He said the club has advised undocumented students to not tell their stories regarding their status in order to protect themselves.
A few undocumented students on-campus are allowed to remain in the U.S. under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, which permits those brought to the country as children to work and attend school. It also gives deferred action to undocumented parents with U.S.-born children.
The policies proposed by the Trump administration so far do not specifically target undocumented citizens under the DACA program and vow to make the apprehension of criminals a priority.
“Criminal aliens have demonstrated their disregard for the rule of law and pose a threat to persons residing in the United States. As such, criminal aliens are a priority for removal,” said one of the memos.
Yet, Enriquez said many in LSU are still worried that DACA could be repealed in the future. He revealed an anxiety for those who do not have protection under the policy.
Despite the unforeseen future and several uncertainties, LSU continues to work with undocumented students. The organization hosted a conference in 2015 that gave undocumented students in the community information about college. They do not disclose details about specific actions taken in order to conceal the identities of the students.
However, Enriquez did mention that LSU serves as a safe place for an undocumented student to share his or her concerns.
The organization is also currently fundraising for a $2,000 scholarship for an undocumented student to use toward tuition. Undocumented persons do not qualify for federal aid. In Colorado, and some other states, students who are not legal citizens, but otherwise qualify for in-state tuition pay the same tuition price as other Colorado residents. Gov. John Hickenlooper signed that measure into law in 2013.
Ruiz said the group is vying for stronger community outreach, too. Last summer, the group partnered with the League of United Latin American Citizens to host a conference in Colorado Springs. They are even trying to partner with CSU-Pueblo’s Black Student Union for a service project.
“LSU tries to do a lot to get our name out into the general community and I think it’s working,” she said.
