INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS' FEAR OF TRUMP AMERICA
- Kean Huy Alado
- Oct 5
- 3 min read
By Kean Huy Alado
As President Trump’s second term approaches its first-year duration, many policies have been amended, removed and added. One policy that he gave focus was immigration. This became a critical point for students at Barry University because of potential implications and effects that could impact their stay in the U.S.
The Buccaneer has been following these developments since January and the international student community on campus has become increasingly anxious.
Since his inauguration, President Trump has reinforced security at the southern U.S. border and sent military to be positioned there. This resulted in the denial of many asylum seekers, which has made movement between the U.S. and Mexico difficult.
Additionally, President Trump began a massive deportation campaign with a goal of 1 million deportations annually. To facilitate this, he rescinded the “Protected Areas” policy on Jan. 20, 2025, to allow for ICE members to perform duties in previously protected areas. These areas included: schools, hospitals and churches.
In response to university campuses being removed from the list of protected areas, Barry University’s public relations director, Katherine Doble, gave an official statement in March 2025 stating, “Barry University has an established protocol for engaging with law enforcement agencies on campus, requiring all external personnel to be directed to Campus Safety. The university also adheres to all federal regulations, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which safeguards the privacy of student education records.”
Her words affirm Barry University’s stance to protect the rights of their students and reinforce the measures that will be taken in order to maintain them. Since then, though, Trump has also provided federal immigration officers with the ability to conduct activities in sanctuary cities in correspondence with Executive Order: 14287, "Protecting American Communities from Criminal Aliens.”
This order was signed on April 28, 2025, and contributes to the fear that the international population has regarding their stay in the U.S. Trump’s actions have culminated in major controversy regarding the deportation of non-citizens and the methods that have been carried out.
With no exceptions, this extended to the Barry community, which comprises both U.S. citizens and foreign nationals. These international students come from regions such as the Caribbean, Europe, South America and others, but any of them could be caught up in Trump’s immigration efforts. Therefore, this potential concern within Barry University should be addressed through these students.
Barry is the No. 1 most diverse campus in Florida, according to Niche, a platform that evaluates schools based on academics, student life, and campus experiences. This includes the 550 non-resident immigrants in the student population, recorded last fall.
The Buccaneer has reached out to its international students for comments. Unfortunately, out of the five international students that were contacted, four of them wished not to speak. One of those four stated that it was due to fear of repercussions of their critical stance on the matter. They added that their family and friends were also worried for their safety, even if they voiced their thoughts anonymously.
The one student who spoke wished to remain anonymous and said her main focus is making sure that she can maintain her status and concentrate on her education. She is a sophomore majoring in communication and media studies.
“I don’t necessarily see ICE as a direct threat to me personally because I try to make sure I am always in compliance with immigration requirements,” the student said, who is a native of Nigeria. “However, I understand that some students or families may feel anxious due to the presence of enforcement agencies.”
She acknowledges that Trump’s America has created both challenges and uncertainties for international students, but it also highlighted the importance of education as a bridge across cultures.
“At Barry University specifically, I think the community has tried to remain supportive and inclusive, which helps students like me feel welcomed and focused on academics, even when the national conversation can feel tense at times,” the student said.
Alternatively, the international school services at Barry University, although unable to voice any political comments, emphasized support for all international students at Barry University.
Carmelys Rodriguez, Barry University’s designated school official (DSO), wants to remind all visa students to “remain in full compliance with federal immigration regulations related to enrollment, employment, and status maintenance.”
She also encouraged students to reach out to the office for any questions or issues regarding their status, employment, or enrollment. The 2025-2026 academic year brought in 400 international students and the international school services at Barry University aims to adequately protect all of them — even in Trump’s America.
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