College Community Addresses Concerns About ICE
By Desiree Leader | Staff Writer
Photo by Tom Hill Jr.
Many people at the Mount are expressing concern regarding President Trump’s lift on the 2011 directive which prohibited Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from arresting suspected undocumented immigrants in sensitive places, such as schools and churches. On January 30th, MWCC President Vander Hooven sent out a memo sharing the previously established protocol in case of a visit to the school from outside law enforcement. The memo advised students and staff to refer outside law enforcement officers like ICE to the President immediately. Two weeks later, the college gave the greenlight for on-campus distribution of the “red card,” an informational document on legal and constitutionally protected rights.
The protocol also said, “MWCC police officers and security personnel do not hold, arrest, or detain …on the belief that the individual is not a legal resident…or is in violation of a civil immigration law.” At a special meeting of the Board of Trustees, Campus Police Chief Melissa Croteau said that campus police cannot block ICE officials, but reported that her “focus is not on immigration status,” while reiterating the protocol of going to the President first.
On February 4th, at a special meeting called by the trustees, President Vander Hooven stated that, “I want to emphasize that our commitment to…serve our students with dignity and respect is unwavering.”
A student majoring in Human Services who declined sharing their name, was surprised that the ‘red cards’ which inform people of their rights regarding ICE were not available at the school until two weeks after the change in the status of the policy. “Being informed as much as possible is what’s gonna help…when people know exactly what their rights are it helps ease the situation. It won’t fix it, but it will make people feel more at ease,” especially the card’s information on the constitutional right to remain silent.
She went on to say that while she has filed papers with immigration and is just waiting for everything to go through, “It’s really scary out there.” She shared that she knows people who are afraid to go to work or are afraid to send their children to school. “It’s so sad.” This student said that as a child she had difficulties learning because she was afraid that her parents would be deported while she was in school.
People in her community are quick to share when they see an immigration officer, to help keep each other safe. She also keeps an eye on information and links on Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA) website.
She mentioned that she feels protected at school right now, especially due to the resources available at the Brewer Center.
“The Brewer Center is a spot for people to gather and talk and to just know that we support them and we are advocating for them and we are trying to stay as up to date as we can on the executive orders…so we can really explain how they are impacting the students directly,” said Brewer Center staff assistant, Kate Bosworth.
The Brewer Center also has a suggestion box, collecting people’s feelings about the executive orders, and will do a public reading of those cards at some point in March. They also have on hand a list of what the executive orders are, along with paraphrased versions for better understanding.
According to Wren Stoddard, Student Leader in Civic Engagement at The Brewer Center, as well as the SGA President, “A lot of the younger students, too, have been coming in…it is great to see them wanting to be engaged in the community around them, but it’s also really upsetting to see them as upset as they are about what we are going through, right now, as a nation. I personally just want to offer as much emotional support as I can give them.”
Stoddard also noted that “There has definitely been an uptick in students coming in and out and this semester has been the biggest influx of students coming in just to talk about this situation. A lot of people are scared right now.”
When asked what the school is doing to guide our students through this situation, Stephanie Williams, the Chief Diversity Executive at Mount Wachusett Community College shared that she is going to be working with the marketing department “to add a link to the website so that folks can have resources, access 24/7 to this information.” She continues, “This is not legal advice…it is high level guidance, written in clear language, around subject matter and materials law-related in terms of immigration and ICE.” Some of the links will be for Know Your Rights Trainings through MIRA as well as links to printable information around immigration and rights that can be photocopied and shared. “We are all impacted,” Williams explains, “because this is our community.”
In an updated memo released on February 11th from Williams and Vander Hooven, students are reminded that “As a public institution of higher education, Mount Wachusett Community College strives to provide a ‘safe’, secure and welcoming teaching and learning environment for all. MWCC remains steadfast in our commitment to fostering an environment not only in support of, but truly built on diversity and inclusion.” It goes on to note that “The College will continue to support and advocate for policies that protect undocumented students…(and) enhance access to higher education for refugee and displaced students.” The document also has information regarding rights attached to it.
Kevin Bisson, a student currently working on his general education with a family member from Puerto Rico, expressed concerns about how Spanish speakers might be unfairly singled out, and worried about “Spanish speaking being a means for ICE officers to detain anyone, including Puerto Ricans.”
A business student who wishes to be anonymous said that “All of the immigration stuff is very sensitive,” and it’s hard to “remain in a country that sometimes feels like they don’t want you” even though she is an American citizen. She proudly explains her commitment to the country and how proud she was to be able to vote. She speaks of the process to become an American citizen. Her advice to undocumented immigrants is sound advice for all of us… “Stay positive, look out for yourself and your family, and do the right thing.”
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