By Rocket Belden, Staff Writer
As many Pellissippi State Community College students are aware, the Trump administration has taken an aggressive position towards immigration in recent months. In an executive order signed on January 20, President Donald Trump made known his intention to enforce the removal of undocumented immigrants residing in the US, citing threats to public safety and national security as reasons to enforce deportation of immigrants.
However, many Pellissippi State students agree that the Trump administration has gone too far. The administration has treated immigrants harshly and denied many of them their fifth amendment right to due process.
Deportation in America
Recently, Venezuelan immigrants in particular have been targeted. President Trump invoked the Alien Enemies Act in a proclamation on March 15, stating that Tren de Aragua (TdA), a Venezuelan criminal organization that has been labeled as a foreign terrorist organization, is “perpetrating, attempting, and threatening an invasion” of the United States. Using this justification, 238 Venezuelans were deported. In a sworn declaration, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Field Office Director of Enforcement and Removal Operations Robert Cerna stated they lacked information on many of the 238 individuals, and that many did not have criminal records.
Despite their lack of criminal records, the 238 Venezuelans were assumed to be dangerous and affiliated with TdA. They were loaded onto chartered planes to be deported before they were given immigration hearings, transferred to a maximum security prison in El Salvador, and have not been provided the opportunity to plead their cases. The identities and statuses of the immigrants have not been released, so the American public has no way of knowing if any of the deportees were legal residents or asylum seekers.
Many Americans are outraged at the actions taken by the Trump Administration, particularly surrounding the treatment of the deportees and the lack of due process. Pellissippi State students agree. Out of 20 students interviewed regarding their opinions on the administration’s treatment of immigrants, 14 stated they believed immigrants were being treated unfairly, two students believed immigrants were being treated fairly, and three were unfamiliar with the situation. Some students, such as student Joanna Merlaw, agree that the government should be stricter towards undocumented immigrants within American borders, but still disagree with the treatment of immigrants. “It’s insensitive how they’re going about it,” Merlaw claims, stating that “there should be a level of respect” between immigrants and the government.
Student Kyrsten Jones believes the attitude of the current administration towards immigrants is “absolute fucking garbage.” She worries for the safety of her peers, as do many students at Pellissippi State. Student Roddy, who declined to give his last name, believes that “people come here for a better life” so seeing them sent back to their home countries “without probable cause hurts a lot.” Student Anthony, who declined to give his last name, doesn’t think “[the Trump administration] is handling it well,” saying that many are being treated unfairly based on their race. “Basing [assumptions about] someone off race is uncalled for,” Anthony adds.
Pellissippi State Policy
For some students, the actions of ICE agents against immigrants might seem far removed from their lives, but college students are being targeted too. According to the Office of the President at Minnesota State University, a student was detained by ICE officials at an off-campus residence; the university received no information from ICE regarding the detainment of the student.
Additionally, three students at the University of Tennessee (UT) and one former student working on campus had changes made to their immigration status by the government, leaving them ineligible to be enrolled or employed and at risk for deportation. According to an email to staff sent out by UT Chancellor Donde Plowman, ICE has been “systematically changing the status of international students at universities across the country,” and UT is no exception. The changes to student statuses were noticed by UT’s Center for Global Engagement, which Chancellor Plowman claims is proactively working to support their international students.
International students play a large role in the communities of many universities, Pellissippi State included. In 2018, there were 116 international students from 32 countries enrolled at the college. Pellissippi State and UT have both taken a stance regarding ICE officials, preparing their staff on how to act if ICE were to appear on campus.
UT policy reads that universities are no longer considered protected areas by ICE, and outlines how staff should respond to ICE officials. Teachers are not to impede or interfere with government officials and contact campus law enforcement so that campus police may assist and coordinate with federal or state officials. If provided, teachers are instructed to record the name, agency, badge number or other identifying information of state or federal law enforcement agents, as well as the date and time of their arrival. If they ask for information, staff members are to direct them to the Registrar’s Office.
Pellissippi State policy is similar, but provides less guidelines for teachers. The Office of the President states that teachers should notify Campus Police immediately and allow external law enforcement officials to execute their work. The office also states that if a law enforcement official asks a staff member to take action outside their scope of authority to direct them again to Campus Police.
Student Opinion Disagrees
Some faculty members and students think the Pellissippi State policy is vague at best and confusing at worst. More importantly, many students are dismayed that updates to policy were only sent to staff members. Eleven out of 20 students interviewed believe that Pellissippi State should help their students, although what they meant by “help” varied person to person. Four students claimed that the priority of campus should be to protect their students. Only three students believed that the college should not interfere.
Pellissippi State students overwhelmingly support immigrants and international students over ICE officials. Many, despite knowing the legal limitations to the college’s ability to assist students and resist efforts of ICE, believe the campus should resist ICE officials. Many also believe that students should always be the campus’ first priority.
Student Viola Blanchet thinks Pellissippi State should encourage students to get their citizenship if they do not have it. Student Roxanna Stupariu thinks the school should give students warning if ICE officials appear on campus. Student Angelina Azpurua thinks the school should help students continue to receive education, even if targeted by ICE.
Student Adrian Varnado thinks ICE should not be on campus if no students have done anything wrong. Bryson Stanley thinks the school should resist ICE officials. Student Eliana, who declined to give her last name, believes ICE officials should be escorted off campus. Student Elli, who declined to give her last name, thinks ICE officials should be asked to leave.
Student Elia, who declined to give her last name, thinks it’s best the school does not get in trouble for their actions, but doesn’t want ICE to walk onto campus. Student Roddy thinks ICE officials should be kicked off campus. Student Anthony thinks the school should try to prevent students from being deported.
Safety on Campus
Chief of Campus Police Terry Crowe speaks further on what campus can do in response to ICE. He has worked with other federal agencies in the past, and states that they have always been respectful towards the campus and the importance of learning. In 10 years of working with Pellissippi State, “all federal officials have coordinated to not disrupt campus activities,” states Chief Crowe. Although he is not familiar with ICE’s process in particular, agencies typically contact the campus before they come to campus; Crowe vows to vet any federal officials’ reason to be on campus. Responding to student opinion of how campus should handle ICE agents, he says if they have gone through the legal process to be on campus, the school can’t tell ICE they can’t be here.
Federal agencies may have been respectful towards Pellissippi State in the past, but that does not mean they will continue to be respectful towards its campuses in the future. Based on the current actions of the Trump administration, how certain can Pellissippi State be that ICE will reach out to Chief Crowe before coming to campus, especially after they did not contact Minnesota State University officials before detaining one of their students? There is little evidence to convince students that federal officials under the Trump administration will continue to show the campuses and their students the level of respect they have in the past, which is why many students fear for the safety of their peers on campus.
What You Can Do
For any students concerned about being approached by ICE officials, here are some tips on staying safe, and a quick brush up on your rights under the law.
- Carry proof of identification as an American citizen or proof of being registered in the immigration system at all times.
- ICE may not legally detain any person without a valid warrant signed by a judge, or with a warrant signed by an ICE official rather than a judge. You may ask them to see the warrant, to check that your name is on the warrant and that it is signed by a judge.
- If ICE officials come to your home, the individual that they have a warrant for should step outside, and all others should remain inside.
- If arrested, you have the right to remain silent, the right to refuse to sign documents they present you, the right to a lawyer, the right to make a phone call, and the right to request a bond hearing.
Pellissippi State students support their international peers, and feel concern for their safety. Know your rights, help your friends, and contact Chief Crowe if you have any questions or feel unsafe on campus. Chief Crowe can be found in AL106 at Hardin Valley or at 865.694.6619.
