Chicago – January 14, 2025
As Donald Trump prepares for his second term as president, colleges and K-12 schools are looking for ways to protect undocumented students from potential changes in immigration policies that could affect their education.
Last week, officials from universities across the United States met online with immigration experts to discuss strategies for dealing with the new administration’s approach to the roughly 400,000 undocumented students in higher education.
During his campaign, Trump promised to carry out mass deportations if reelected. He also mentioned in December his support for deporting mixed-status families, where some family members might be U.S. citizens and others might not have legal status.
This situation has raised concerns about how schools can protect student information and assist with applying for college financial aid amidst these uncertainties.
The issue has sparked a broader discussion about where immigration enforcement should occur and where it should not.
This debate is especially urgent after a challenging year for students from mixed-status families who faced difficulties securing financial aid due to problems with the federal system during a crisis period.