Issuu

creates 'I cannot be deported right now' Loyola immigration

Students nervous about new green card executive orders

task force By Violet Bucaro vabucaro@my.loyno.edu

Students protest for the release of Mahmoud Khalil on March 11, 2025. Khalil, a Columbia graduate student, is currently being held in jena, Louisiana awaiting potential deportation. Olivia Sanyal/The Maroon

By Alana Frank anfrank@my.loyno.edu

As Loyola University students grapple with new federal policies that could threaten immigrant students' rights, many fear that exercising free speech, especially through protest, could come at a devastating cost. Several students expressed concerns about recent policies and executive orders that could impact immigrant students’ rights, particularly regarding free speech and participation in protests. Students worry that universities may have to choose between upholding their values and maintaining federal funding, with some fearing that green card holders could face having their legal status revoked for protesting and that they could find themselves in a situation similar to Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil, a lawful permanent resident, under a rarely used immigration law provision. Khalil is currently detained in Jena, Louisiana. Trump’s executive orders prohibiting antisemitism have been applied to Khalil’s case, with officials arguing that protesters supporting Hamas should lose their right to stay in the U.S. The order established a task force to combat anti semitism, led by the Department of Justice, to address anti semitic harassment, especially in schools

and on college campuses. It calls for the cancellation of visas for foreign students protesters. In response to the detention of Columbia University student activist Mahmoud Khalil, student activists organized a protest near the campuses of Tulane

“If you are able to be in this country, then you should have all the rights available to everyone else in this country.” Axel Aguilar, Criminology freshman University and Loyola University, demanding Khalil's release, highlighting concerns over free speech and immigrants' rights. U.S. Representative Troy A. Carter said that Khalil's arrest coincided with actions by the Department of Education targeting 60 institutions, including Tulane University, for their involvement in pro-Palestinian activities. This has put pressure on universities to take action against immigrant students involved in protests, specifically protests about the Israeli-Palestinian

war. Some of these policies are to further crackdown on student activism, where federal funding has been leveraged to control campus speech. Loyola University, a Jesuit institution, has traditionally upheld values of social justice and inclusion. However, like many universities, it faces challenges in navigating federal policies while maintaining its commitment to student rights and diversity. Criminology freshman Axel Aguilar said he felt sad about the situation and believes these policies and executive orders put universities in a difficult position—forcing them to choose between their morals or risk being defunded. He said this could have a chilling effect on free speech, not just on college campuses but across the country. “I think students are going to be more cautious and way more wary of what they're saying because it's an attack on free speech, basically, in terms of immigration status and citizenship status,” Aguilar said. “I know other students are more reluctant to go to protests because they're afraid of what the consequences could be.” Aguilar said he doesn’t believe green card holders should be at risk of losing their status for participating in protests, regardless of the protest’s focus. “I believe if you are able to be in this country, then you should have all the

rights available to everybody else in this country,” Aguilar said. “Including free speech.” Aguilar also noted that he believes the order is being used as a scare tactic for the Trump administration. “I think it is 100% targeting specific groups unfairly, and it puts others at an advantage compared to minority groups,” he said. “I think Loyola should continue sharing a vision where all students are safe and able to express themselves, but I don't think they should be at risk of defunding either, so I think they should be careful.” Aguilar said universities should focus on being open with students and guiding them in a safe direction while also trying to comply with possible federal funding requirements. “I think continuing to tell students what is allowed and what isn't allowed is the best way to go about this, so that students aren't lost in terms of what they can and can’t do, and the university doesn't have to double down on everything,” Aguilar said. Nursing freshman Angelina Nguyen said she feels that universities revoking green cards from immigrants who protest is wrong and inhumane.

See IMMIGRATION, p.3

Loyola students have been pushing for the university and President Cole’s protection on campus as immigration enforcement inclines nationwide. Students fear the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement could potentially enter the campus at any moment. The university has created a task force in response. In a statement on the behalf of Cole, the university established the task force in February. The immigration task force is composed of university leaders and administration to gather legal guidance and they have met weekly since. The task force was said to “review orders and internal guidelines, collect resources, outline strategies, and gather legal guidance to identify potential impacts and next steps.” The Task Force is not, however, composed of any student involvement or consultation other than the campus-wide email release. The statement said the university has partnered with other Jesuit institutions and higher Jesuit education as navigation continues. In the March 20 email from Cole, “Important Safety Update on the Rights and Safety of Our Campus Community,” he advised the community that if a law enforcement agency were to approach a student to notify Loyola University Police Department and wait for an officer to arrive. In addition, Cole said the university adheres to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, which prohibits the release of students’ records to law enforcement without a valid court order or subpoena. A number of legal and campus resources were suggested in the email for student’s to reach out to. Campus resources included the Loyola’s Law Clinic, Center for Social Justice, and the University Counseling Center. Local resources, Immigration Services and Legal Advocacy, Puentes New Orleans, and Familias Unidas en Acción were listed as well. And national agencies such as the National Immigration Law Center, Informa Immigrant, and United We Dream were listed. Vice President of Marketing & Communications Aariel Charbonnet responded that Loyola is dedicated to being there for their community “As a University, we want to reassure the entire Loyola community that we are firmly devoted to the wellbeing of our students, faculty, and staff, and to the legal protections upholding their rights,” Charbonnet said. Further findings from the task force have not been disclosed. Charbonnet said all information regarding the task force has been included in Dr. Cole's emails to the campus community.