Immigration reform policies strike campus

By: Jilianne Scamperle

SAN MARCOS – As the Nov. 6 midterm election approaches, immigration continues to be a

divisive topic across Texas State University campus, with some in favor of stricter federal
policies and others opposed.

The mandates in place are a part of President Donald Trump’s four-pillar plan. This plan
involves creating a path to citizenship for those who fall under the Deferred Action for
Childhood Arrivals (DACA) act, which protects those who were born in or brought to the
U.S. illegally from deportation. Trump also plans on using $25 billion to build a wall and
secure the Mexico-Texas border, eliminate the diversity visa lottery for a more merit-based
system and limit family-based immigration to spouses and children.

According to migrationpolicy.org, as of 2016 there are 44 million total immigrants in the

U.S. Within this population, 11.6 million come from Mexico, with 22 percent of Mexican
immigrants living in Texas.

Because of proximity, many in Texas have been impacted by the president’s plans to
tighten immigration policies. The conflict is evident on the Texas State University majority-
minority campus, as 37 percent of the 38, 644 students identify as Hispanic.

Some students, such as Jazzmone Colton of San Antonio, said the revisions to DACA
discriminate against a large portion of people who are trying to improve their life.

“I feel like people should be free to live wherever they need to be,” Colton said. “If they
want a better life for their families, let them, and no matter where people come from we
should always welcome them with open arms because we’re American.”

Two years ago, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 4 that placed a ban on sanctuary
cities in Texas, sparking protests on campus. The bill requires law enforcement to
cooperate with the federal law and allows them to question the immigration status of
anyone they arrest.

Student Taylor Terpstra of Allen, said that the ban will not stop people standing up for
what they believe in.

“I was very proud that Austin was a sanctuary city,” Terpstra said. “Even if sanctuary cities
are prohibited, it doesn’t stop people from speaking out. Like now, Austin is now a freedom
city that continues to protest deportation policies.”

While some students stand strongly against strict immigration policies, others disagree and
think that the United States should move forward with the restrictions. Student Jeremy
Jones of Dallas, said DACA shouldn’t exist at all.
“It is ridiculous that DACA was ever created in the first place because it is still illegal
immigration,” Jones said. “Key word, illegal.”

Some have had personal experience with immigrants coming across the Mexico-Texas
border. PJ Solis of El Paso, said that some individuals coming over the border are not
looking for a new start.

“Living two minutes away from the border I had a lot of people try to break into my home,
tried to hide in my yard when they cross. Especially at three in the morning, I remember
having to fight some people off to get them off my property,” Solis said. “So a lot of those
guys aren’t coming for a better life, a lot of those guys are looking for danger.”

The polarizing views on immigration and DACA have resulted in serious discussions about
racism. Texas State has been specifically dealing with a series of racist acts since 2016. Last
month, white supremacy business cards were distributed around campus, and Texas State
President Denise Trauth said racism would not be tolerated.

“These incidents are on the rise nationwide, and what is happening at Texas State is a
symptom of a larger sickness,” Trauth said. “The individuals who circulate this material do
so specifically to divide and frighten us – but we must be resilient. In the face of this
adversity, we have a responsibility to make it clear where we stand: that hate has no place
at Texas State.”

For more information on diversity on campus and DACA support, visit the Student
Diversity and Inclusion website https://www.sdi.txstate.edu.