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QUAKER CAMPUS Oct. 2, 2025

Volume 24 — Issue 3

The voice of Whittier College since 1914

Students Speak Out Against ICE Raids

Courtesy of Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times

Students are feeling anxious about the ongoing ICE raids. Paola Ruiz NEWS EDITOR On Sept. 15, a survey went out to the student body from the Quaker Campus to gather information about how students are feeling about the current Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids. The majority of the respondents shared that they felt anxious and stressed about the raids. One student who identifies as a Hispanic and/or Latino male explains, “The ICE raids are something that have affected not only me, but many others negatively worldwide. I do not think it is fair for anyone having your family torn apart because you aren't from here. Most, if not all, that are being deported are not criminals and contribute to the country in a positive manner. It is also unjust that ICE has recently been given permission to racially profile people and detain anyone who looks ‘illegal’.” The poll comes in the wake of the Trump administration making new laws that target racial and ethnic minorities like Hispanic and/or Latino communities. Since the start of Trump’s second term on Jan. 20, he immediately signed executive orders that undo the Biden administration's immigration policies. One executive order by the current administration is the "Laken Riley Act." The "Laken Riley Act" requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to enforce “the federal detention of illegal immigrants who are accused of theft, burglary, assaulting a law enforcement officer, and any crime that causes deaths or seriously bodily injury.” Trump has also added funding to DHS through the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” This provides DHS with “$46.5 billion [...] to finish the border wall [...] The Big Beautiful Bill will allow ICE to arrest and remove even more criminal

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aliens by providing $14.4 billion for removal, 10,000 new ICE agents, 80,000 new ICE beds, and a $10,000 signing bonus for new ICE agents.” In response, a legal action that citizens have pursed towards ICE is Noem v. Vasquez Perdomo. This case explains how the federal court prevented ICE agents from stopping individuals based on “apparent race or ethnicity, speaking Spanish, or speaking English with an accent.” However, on Sept. 8, the U.S. The Supreme Court intervened in Noem v. Vasquez Perdomo, which restored ICE’s ability to racially profile an individual. According to The New York Times, “...the court’s Republicanappointed majority will allow

"ICE raids", the respondents were diverse in demographics, but had a sense of unity in their views. Of the students who responded, 75 percent are U.S. citizens or permanent residents, while 25 percent are not. In addition, 55 percent of students align with the Democratic Party, while 40 percent of students align with Independent parties and five percent identify with the Republican party. 50 percent were female, while males were at 45 percent and five percent preferred not to say. Furthermore, 40 percent of students identified as White, 55 percent Hispanic and/ or Latino, 15 percent Asian and/ or Pacific Islander, five percent Black and/or African American,

"I have an extremely negative opinion about the recent ICE raids in our communities. If ICE was really going after criminals, why are they seemingly taking anyone who looks foreign?" the government to continue using aggressive–and unconstitutional, in the eyes of its critics—tactics in immigration sweeps as the litigation slowly plays out.” The Californian Governor Gavin Newsom is actively trying to counteract the raids, by passing laws like “No Secret Police Act.” This act tries to ensure that “federal law enforcement, including ICE, from hiding their identities” during the operations. On the local level, cities like Whittier are donating to foundations and charities to help families that are being affected by the raids. The survey gathered views on how students feel about the ongoing ICE raids and some concerns they may have. In the survey, titled

and five percent Native American. When asked who they voted for in the 2024 Presidential election, 50 percent replied with Kamala Harris, whereas five percent voted for other candidates and 45 percent could not vote for various reasons. For example, not being the legal age to vote (18), international or undocumented student, and chose to not vote. One student who identifies as a Native American male says, “I have an extremely negative opinion about the recent ICE raids in our communities. If ICE was really going after criminals, why are they seemingly taking anyone who looks foreign? Though, I am biased about this, because one of my friends from my high school is an illegal immigrant, and I worry about her

constantly." Another student who identifies as a Hispanic and/or Latino male adds, “They are extremely dehumanizing with the conditions that detained people are put into, and extremely illegal and unjust with their methods of waiting outside courts to catch immigrants who are trying to get their citizenship.” However, one student who identifies as an Asian and/or Pacific Islander female states, “I think the raids happened because some people broke U.S. laws. If someone is here illegally and doesn’t follow the rules, then I understand why ICE takes action. It’s important to respect the laws of the country we live in.” Students were also asked to think about how these raids have impacted the student body or campus climate. One student that identifies as a White and Asian and/ or Pacific Islander female responds, “It's definitely concerning. People are scared, frustrated, sad, and angry. It affects us as students, but also as people with family members or friends who might directly be impacted. It's making the society we live in scarier. I don't know who this is helping.” While another student who identifies as a Hispanic and/or Latino male shares, “They are extremely distressing to many students who understand that being racially profiled for being Hispanic, Asian, or African American/of African descent. It also could become a bigger issue for all international students seeing that they are all staying here with visas for their studies.” Students were asked to think about how these events affect undocumented students. One student who identifies as White male responds, “I imagine undocumented students are incredibly fearful. They may not even feel safe leaving campus, and definitely cannot give their full effort to their studies.”

World Recap • On Wednesday, Oct. 1, the U.S. government shut down after not meeting the deadline to approve the Republican funding package. According to The Guardian, this is the "first time in nearly seven years” where a Republican dominated Congress, cannot pass their funding that allocates more money to federal departments. To pass this funding, republicans need “at least seven Democratic votes,” however, “Democrats are using that leverage to push for renewing expanded healthcare.” • On Tuesday, Sept. 30, a 6.9 magnitude earthquake struck the central Philippines. The death rate is currently at 69, while at least 200 people are injured. According to Reuters, the earthquake has caused power outages and brought down numerous buildings. • On Sept. 30, Pope Leo XIV shared his criticism of the current “hard-line immigration policies” made by the U.S. President Donald Trump. According to Reuters, Pope Leo does not agree that someone can be against abortion and “in agreement with the inhuman treatment of immigrants in the United States, I do not know if that is pro-life.” • On Sept. 30, the former President Joseph Kabila of Congo was convicted and sentenced to death. The convictions were of “treason and war crimes [with] accusations of collaborating with anitgovernment rebels,” states AP News. Kabila has not appeared in trial since July, and he is still at large. • On Friday, Sept. 26, during Israel's UN General Assembly speech “more than 100 diplomats from more than 50 countries” walked out. According to The Guardian, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “vowed to ‘finish the job’ in Gaza.”

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