How Can Universities Protect Their Immigrant Students?

"Karla Vásquez Perez stepped onto campus with no support, but she built a network of friends and professors to help her navigate a foreign system."

"Nationally, first-generation students account for just 25.8 percent of the undergraduates in the United States, a majority of which belong to Hispanic, Black, brown, or Indigenous communities."

"Since the Trump administration took office, universities nationwide have seen significant cuts to programs for first-generation immigrants and threats to student safety."

"Students are calling on their academic institutions to defend and expand their right to an education amid federal rollbacks on immigrant protections."

Karla Vásquez Perez immigrated to California from El Salvador at 15 and is now a naturalized citizen graduating from UCLA with a triple degree. She navigated college without initial support, building a network to access resources. First-generation students, particularly from Hispanic, Black, brown, or Indigenous communities, face challenges, with only 25.8 percent of undergraduates being first-generation nationally. Since the Trump administration, cuts to programs for first-generation immigrants have threatened student safety and access to education, prompting calls for institutional support.

Read at The Nation