Students at Grand Valley State University held a protest last Tuesday urging administrators to adopt policies of non-compliance with federal immigration enforcement agencies. Despite cold weather, students took to the streets and marched through the Valley Campus to gain the attention of administrators, who state there is established support in place for international and immigrant students.
The protest was led by Progressive Student Union (PSU) and endorsed by Latino Student Union, Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine, the Advocacy Chapter of the American Association of University Professors at GVSU, Grand Rapids Coalition to Oppose Trump and Ivan Diaz, Senate candidate from Grand Rapids’ 29th Congressional District. PSU advocates for the Board of Trustees to pass a policy that no GVSU facilities, information, funds, personnel or property “assist federal immigration enforcement in any way.” The group also states the University’s Department of Public Safety should be prohibited by policy from cooperating with ICE.
The University admits students without considering citizenship, and doesn’t maintain any records that reveal undocumented status, per Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) guidelines. GVSU’s current guidelines for interacting with government officials and federal law enforcement is to call the Office of General Counsel if federal officers enter non-public space on campus. However, students in attendance at the protest feel the University should take further steps in enacting policies of non-compliance with federal immigration enforcement.
“Progressive Student Union works to build action-oriented campaigns on campus, drawing in students, faculty and community from all different backgrounds to make concrete political change,” PSU said in a statement provided to the Lanthorn.
The group led chants and cheers for students in attendance, many of which called out President Donald Trump, GVPD and ICE.
“Administration wants to convince us this is a distant problem, but it is not,” said PSU member Zoe Rorick. “They (ICE) are here in our city (Grand Rapids), and they are coming for us. Everybody has the right to receive an education without worrying for their safety.”
Earlier this year, four international students at GVSU had their visas revoked, only to be reinstated months later. These events raised questions for some over how safe international and undocumented students are from unlawful deportation. University administrators, including Vice President for People, Equity and Culture Robert Shorty, have said GVSU is “dedicated to supporting its international students, particularly during this time of uncertainty.”
Latino Student Union President David Arellano spoke at the protest, saying he and those in attendance were there because they want GVSU, their home, to be a sanctuary.
“For many Latino students, GVSU is a home,” Arellano said. “GVSU is our hope for a better future, but it is hard to sit still in the classroom when ICE causes fear. Let’s be a generation that says no student should have to study in fear.”
Students hope that if such policies were to be enacted at GVSU and universities across the country, there would be significant improvements to international and immigrant students’ ability to obtain an education.
“I have an immense privilege to further my education and I’m not letting it go to waste,” said PSU member Cindy Villegas. “My faith is what keeps me fearless. I don’t protest because ‘I’m bored,’ I protest because there’s many students and innocent people around the world who don’t have that ability.”
