To finish off the first month of the New Year, Donald Trump was inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States on Jan. 20. Since his campaign’s inception, Trump’s stance on illegal immigration has been at the forefront.
His inaugural address specifically calls out the government for failing to protect “law-abiding citizens,” while providing “sanctuary and protection for dangerous criminals, many from prisons and mental institutions,” who have entered the country illegally.
And in the few weeks following his inauguration, the president has launched a massive deportation campaign that targets not only violent offenders, but anyone who enters the country illegally — including visa overstays, or children and families.
The logic behind this decision, according to a recent briefing by Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Jan.29, is that regardless of circumstance, “they [the arrests ICE has made so far] illegally broke our nation’s laws, and, therefore, they are criminals, as far as this administration goes.”
With the new administration making its philosophy on illegal immigration perfectly transparent, ICE operations continue across the country to enforce immigration policy, with arrests being made and detainees brought to detention centers.
This campaign has created a wave of apprehension across the nation, which is also being felt on a local level.
While LMC President Ralston stated that an ICE agent visiting the campus is unlikely, she still wants the community to be prepared for such interactions.
To help the community better prepare for changes brought by the upcoming Trump presidency, a memo by the LMC administration was sent out on December 13, 2024 through InSite.
The full message was written in both English and Spanish, and contained a wealth of resources for those who may need them.
“I want to reaffirm LMC’s commitment to supporting all students, especially those who may feel vulnerable due to their immigration status or that of their family members,” Ralston said in the memo.
Alongside this commitment, California legislature Assembly Bill 21 and Senate Bill 54 were highlighted, as they prevent the use of state resources to further immigration enforcement efforts.
Historically, LMC has held the philosophy of helping all students as one its core values since being founded in 1974.
“It is our mission to service everyone […] and to do so with dignity and compassion,” Ralston said.
Regardless of immigration status, the college administration maintains its efforts to emphasize education and student success.
December’s memo also included an immigration enforcement action guide for students, should they encounter an immigration officer on campus. It is currently featured on the LMC Dreamers webpage alongside an attached guide for employees.
The student guide presents links to organizations such as the Immigrant Legal Resource Center — who provide free Red Cards containing useful information on rights and interacting with immigration authorities — and the Immigration Institute of the Bay Area.
The employee guide features a similar list of resources and contact numbers, and instructs employees to inform campus police, the President’s Office, or the Chancellor’s Office if they learn of an immigration officer’s presence on campus, and that they plan on enforcing federal immigration policy.
The guide dissuades employees from sharing any personal information — including immigration status — to the officer directly, and instructs them to refer such requests to the Office of the President or Chancellor. These authorities will then evaluate the legality of the request or any relevant documentation.
The guide also warns against interfering or acting in any way that may escalate the situation.
Because this situation is one that is continuously evolving, Ralston assured that faculty and staff have been educated on how to handle potential interactions with immigration authorities.
Campus police are listed as a resource for students, and due to the previously mentioned AB 21 and SB 54, their role is to assist the community.
“In other words, police are not here to round people up; faculty are not here to round people up,” said Ralston.
Additionally, Ralston stated that more training will be implemented throughout the semester as needed. The focus is bracing for changes on a federal level, and educating community members on policies already in place to protect students and their families.
“We will do everything to protect you within our legal rights,” said Ralston.
There will be a college assembly in the Student Union Conference Center on Monday, February 10 at 3 p.m. to further address the issue. It is an employee-focused meeting with an allotted two-hour time slot.
On a similar note, Senate Bill 48 was introduced last December by State Senator Lena Gonzalez. It would block immigration enforcement within one mile of any school site and provide protection for the information of undocumented students and their families. Should the bill pass, it will take effect immediately as an “urgency statute.”
