Recent U.S. immigration policies have been deeply shaped by the Trump administration, creating an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty, especially on school and university campuses. Actions by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents have impacted not only undocumented individuals but also international students, refugees and others seeking asylum.
The worrying trend of unjust detainment began with Mahmoud Khalil, a student from Syria attending Columbia University, who was arrested for his pro-Palestinian advocacy on campus. Students like Badar Khan Suri, a Georgetown Scholar, and Kseniia Petrova, a research associate at Harvard Medical School, followed shortly after, leaving students across the nation finding themselves concerned about the stability of their education in an environment increasingly shaped by immigration enforcement. These federal actions have made them question their safety, security, and future at the university, as the protections enshrined in the Constitution for non-citizens include the right to education, the right to due process and the right against unreasonable search and seizure.
In Minnesota, the situation has become even more pressing, with major state schools at the heart of the issue. Doğukan Günaydın, an international student from Turkey, was arrested March 27 by ICE. Günaydın is suing for his release, his petition stating that his student visa was revoked seven hours after the event. A Metropolitan State University student from Thailand is suing ICE under similar circumstances; he said that immigration authorities revoked his legal status over two driving violations from 2018.
The arrest stemmed from Günaydin’s drunken driving conviction in 2023. Gunaydin’s legal team has argued that the conviction did not meet the legal requirements for a visa revocation and have sought his immediate release and reinstatement as a student. This case has drawn attention to the growing impact of immigration enforcement on international students and has raised questions and concerns about the fairness and transparency of such actions by federal authorities. His immigration hearing was last Friday, and the judge is currently deliberating on whether Gunaydin should be released on bond or remain in jail.
A graduate student at MSU-Mankato was detained less than a week later and five total Mankato students have had their visas revoked. College President Edward Inch told the student government on Wednesday that those students “will need to return to their country of origin at some point between zero and 60 days.” No information has been provided on why the government terminated the students’ visas, and the lack of transparency is startling.
One of the most important steps in protecting students like Khalil, Günaydin, and the Mankato students is to understand their rights and ensure that others are also informed. Despite the fear, it is essential that students, faculty and staff all over the country and particularly at SPA know what legal protections are available. For example, international students and undocumented individuals have the right to remain silent, refuse entry to immigration agents without a warrant, and not face discrimination based on immigration status. Advocacy from everyone plays a key role in ensuring that these rights are upheld. Sharing resources—like guides from the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota and The Advocates for Human Rights—can help make sure students aren’t caught off guard if they or someone they know is impacted. By organizing workshops, distributing materials and creating open forums for discussion during assembly, tutorial, or x-period, SPA students can empower themselves and others to take action in the case of an ICE encounter.
This issue isn’t reserved to college. Students at SPA come from diverse backgrounds. Many have parents who are immigrants, some of whom have work visas or are green card holders.
In addition to individual advocacy, support laws and campus policies that protect immigrant rights. Minnesota has enacted the Minnesota Trust Act, which limits local law enforcement’s cooperation with ICE, offering some protection for immigrants. On the U of M campus, there are policies in place to prevent the sharing of important student information with ICE, ensuring that students like Günaydın can continue their education without the fear of deportation.
Supporting these policies as students and teachers through advocacy and education is important to maintaining SPA and other schools as a safe space for all students and their families, regardless of their immigration status. Students at SPA can make their voices heard by participating in campaigns, writing letters to university leaders, and advocating for stronger protections at the state and local level.
It is important for everyone at SPA to stay informed and advocate for the protection of students and teachers on campus. Resist unjust immigration practices and stand for our fellow students and broader community. For students like Khalil and Günaydın knowing that their rights are protected can make all the difference, and although we may not have the power to influence change on a national level, we can still make a meaningful impact by advocating for immigrants and refugees within our own communities.
