Over 400,000 Undocumented College Students in US Face Uncertain Futures Under Trump Administration
Many undocumented students fear college attendance could risk exposing their families.
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Weeks after Trump secured his second administration, universities were sending notices for international students to return to campus ahead of his January 20 inaugural. Besides them, however, undocumented college students, especially the 100,000 in California, are feeling increasingly more anxious about their status due to the increased threat of immigration enforcement.
For undocumented students, pursuing higher education has become as hard as living with fears of being deported. While some take home in sanctuary states and have taken advantage of benefits such as in-state tuition and legal aid, deportation is loudly hanging over them under President Trump's upcoming policies.
Do Colleges Protect Undocumented Students?
According to Teen Vogue, colleges in California have taken their share of protections for undocumented students. Free legal aid, limited access to the ICE without warrant, and safeguards of privacy through FERPA, all together are meant to provide a safe environment. Other states, like Texas, however, have fewer protections in place, which makes college attendance more alarming. With Trump entering office, there is fear of potential override of these federal policies.
The students are inquiring whether college is even a viable option. Advocates like Madeleine Villanueva of Immigrants Rising are worried that fear of the possibility of revealing themselves or their families to immigration enforcement will dissuade some students from college at all.
Those without DACA protections are more vulnerable nationwide. Since 2021, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program has not accepted new applications, leaving those students without legal protections. Trump's mixed messages about deporting Dreamers and preserving families have added to the confusion and fear.
California Attorney General's guidelines and institutional policies would ease fear by indicating how colleges can respond to inquiries from the ICE and maintain their students' private information. Employees in schools like California State University, San Marcos, explain that they are always concerned about student safety.
The undocumented students are still very scared for their future.
