By adamari gomez
As the Trump administration’s enforcement actions expand, concerns grow for undocumented individuals of the U.S. as Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) along with the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) have begun conducting a series of raids across the country, with Central Texas emerging as a hotspot for these operations.
On January 21st, 2025, Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Benjamin Huffman recently released two directives that expand enforcement operations in sensitive areas and shift ICE enforcement back to a case-by-case basis and end the use of humanitarian parole.
Before these directives, the Department of Homeland Security had limited Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Border Patrol agents from conducting law enforcement activities in sensitive areas, including:
- “schools (including pre-schools, primary schools, secondary schools, post-secondary schools up to and including colleges and universities, and other institutions of learning such as vocational or trade schools);
- hospitals
- churches, synagogues, mosques or other institutions of worship, such as buildings rented for the purpose of religious services;
- the site of a funeral, wedding, or other public religious ceremony; and
- a site during the occurrence of a public demonstration, such as a march, rally or parade.”
For college students, especially international students, those enrolled in DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) programs, and students who are U.S. citizens but have undocumented family members, the fear of being detained or deported has reached a new level. The threat of raids on or near campuses has caused many students to rethink their future in higher education. Some are even opting to skip classes or stay away from campus out of fear for their safety.
Undocumented students face not only legal challenges but also financial ones, as many rely on state-level scholarships or in-state tuition rates that are increasingly in jeopardy. As the raids continue, students are also coping with heightened anxiety, which can negatively impact their academic success and mental health.
How can college students be protected from these mass immigration raids in Central Texas?
- Know your rights: Everyone living in the United States has constitutional rights. These include
- free speech,
- freedom of assembly,
- the right to remain silent and not discuss immigration status,
- the right to legal representation,
- the right to not sign anything without legal representation,
- the right to say ‘no’ if a federal agent asks to search your body – unless they have probable cause,
- and the right to petition the government.
- College students should be educated about their rights especially if they are undocumented or have family members who are undocumented.
- Other resources, like red cards are “wallet-sized red cards are printed with helpful tips on what to do when encountering a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent and inform the card carrier of their constitutional rights.” These physical copies of rights help individuals protect themselves during encounters with ICE enforcement.
- Creating Safe Spaces: Many colleges across the country have declared themselves sanctuary campuses, campuses that are able to protect undocumented students and faculty from federal immigration enforcement. Although no campuses in Texas have officially declared sanctuary status, many campuses, like Austin Community College, do provide financial resources, mental health and counseling services.
- Student Advocacy and Activism: College students can work together to create advocacy groups and coalitions that raise awareness about the threats facing their communities. Local communities can also collaborate to create support networks in the event of federal immigration enforcement. Additionally, students can organize protests to demand policy changes and justice for those affected by these new policies.
- Knowing Legal Aid and Resources: There are multiple online resources also available for college students, including:
School districts, such as Austin ISD, have provided families with refugee and immigration resources and support. Political action groups such as the Mexican American Legislative Caucus (MALC) have teamed up with state lawmakers to urge the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to provide information on how school districts should handle federal immigration enforcement actions in Texas schools.
As immigration raids continue to pose a threat to students’ safety and well-being, it’s crucial for communities, universities, and lawmakers to work together to ensure that higher education remains a safe space for all. The fight for immigrant protections is far from over, and Central Texas could be a key battleground in determining how the nation responds.