I’m writing in response to the article titled “‘Here for a Better Life’: Pellissippi State Students Express Concern for their International and Immigrant Peers,” written by Rocket Belden. As a minority student at Pellissippi State College, I believe it’s important for students on campus to be aware of how the Trump administration is acting towards immigrant students around the country. Though the administration states that undocumented immigrants residing in the US pose a threat to public safety and national security, many students agree that this is not true. Students believe the administration is acting harshly and unfairly with these groups of people by denying them their Fifth Amendment right to due process. I argue that this is wrong for the administration to act in this manner. Since the administration claims to be the party of law and order, it must honor the Constitution and the rights guaranteed under it. What we must keep in mind when trying to understand this topic is how fragile our freedom truly is. If we allow for one group of people to have their rights violated, what stops the administration from going after anyone else, regardless of immigration status?
I truly believe that campuses around the states should protect their students’ rights to education and due process. The school administrations should not allow ICE on college campuses, where students simply go to create a better life for their futures and the betterment of society as a whole. Everyone should have the right to education regardless of status, and that’s something that colleges should continue to respect and support. These students pay for tuition out of pocket because their status doesn’t allow them to receive aid, further demonstrating their desire to get ahead in life. I strongly believe that ICE officials should be escorted off campus property, and colleges should continue to support their international students. If administrations in elementary schools can protect their students, then there is no reason why college campuses aren’t able to do the same, when protecting students should be their main priority. All students, not just the ones with legal status. We can’t continue to allow this administration to violate the rights of these students to education, whose only crime is not having the right paperwork. These international students contribute meaningfully to our communities, they deserve a path to citizenship. Many had no choice in being here, for they were brought here at a young age. By simply ignoring this issue, we stand the chance that anyone else’s Fifth Amendment right can be violated for whatever reason.
We must remember that everyone has the right to due process, regardless of status, under the Constitution. This subject should be approached with compassion and with dignity for all humans. Campuses all over should commit to protecting their students over anything and their right to education. Standing up to ICE shows a strong sense of college unity with its students. This allows students to be confident in their college’s ability to protect their students. Making more proactive students in college engagements and pride in their schools overall.
Sincerely,
Diana Gonzalez
