Graphic by Joseph Parillo, Graphic Designer
By Monet Sanders, Staff Writer
Moraine Valley Community College ICE Policies:
What comes to mind when you think of the United States? Do you picture men dressed as Native Americans tossing tea into the Boston Harbor? Perhaps you envision cattle and cowboys in the Wild West. Maybe you think of enslaved people fighting in the Civil War for freedom in a nation that declared independence from a king while simultaneously establishing a foundation of slavery. The great American dream varies for each individual, which is the essence of it all, right? No two American dreams are identical, but our constitution guarantees the right to pursue that dream.
In 2025, some form of education is typically required for that pursuit. U.S. and international students attend U.S. universities in hopes of securing a brighter future. Following the reelection of Former President Trump, many students have questioned their ability to achieve their dreams in the United States. For international students, this concern stems from Trump’s immigration policies. Universities, international students, and immigration are all under fire due to Trump’s propaganda “Make America Great Again,” but which America is he referencing? At Moraine Valley Community College (MVCC), our commitment to the safety and inclusion of our diverse student body is vital. In light of the recent federal immigration enforcement concerns, Moraine has implemented clear and compassionate policies to safeguard students from unjust immigration actions:
- State law prohibits us from assisting any federal agency, to include ICE, with any action unless it is an official court order, signed by a federal judge. In these cases, we would anticipate contacting the attorney’s office for guidance.
- The college police department does not see immigration enforcement as our role. We will not ask students, faculty, or staff about their immigration status. Our goal is for everyone to feel welcome and safe on campus.
MV Chief of Police Patrick Treacy highlighted that these measures demonstrate the college’s dedication to fostering a supportive environment that honors the community’s principles of dignity, fairness, and integrity. MVCC possesses a diverse student population, featuring a vibrant International Student Office. Notably, it has one of the largest Middle Eastern student groups, a demographic previously targeted by the Trump administration during his first term. Despite his history of making strong and offensive remarks, we are now witnessing the repercussions of his actions during this second term. These include wrongful deportations, cuts to funding for universities promoting DEI initiatives, and attacks on LGBTQ+ rights. At the local level, colleges are combating these challenges as best as they can; though it remains a difficult task with a tyrant in control of the federal government.
Graphic by Joseph Parillo, Graphic Designer
What is the Department of Homeland Security, and why was it created?
The Department of Homeland Security originated from the PATRIOT Act of 2001in response to the 9/11 attacks. The establishment of the department was accompanied by controversial legislation due to significant oversight of surveillance and investigative powers granted to the DHS law enforcement agencies (Bullock, Haddow, Coppola, 2021, P. 2) Nevertheless, the creation of the DHS has evolved and expanded it functions since 2001. The primary purpose of the DHS is to provide the United States with substantial law enforcement capabilities to deter, prepare for, and prevent future attacks like 9/11 (Bullock, Haddow, Coppola, 2021, P. 5) Each function of the DHS carries the same mission: to prevent terrorism and enhance security, secure and manage our borders, enforce and administer our immigration laws, safeguard and secure cyberspace, and strengthen national preparedness and resilience (Bullock, Haddow, Coppola, 2021, P. 13-14) The Department of Homeland Security is a large organization consisting of 22 agencies.
What we are all seeing currently is the politicization of the DHS, which has shifted the focus on Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. I spent the remainder of my teenage years in Southern Arizona, where my parent worked as a border patrol agent. At the time, I was unaware of the impact they would soon be apart of in the ongoing immigration crisis. However, I noticed the strong opinions that many locals held regarding immigration, the conflicts in the Middle East, and the Confederate flags they displayed proudly. History in America is complex and unequally taught across the 50 states. In contrast to my peers from Arizona, I grew up in the metropolitan area of Chicago. My views on immigration were influenced by the warmth and generosity of my immigrant neighbors in communities such as Pilsen, Cicero, and Humboldt Park. They came to America, like the founders of this nation, seeking a better life for themselves and their families. They were – and the migrants of today still are – in pursuit of the American dream, an image of the United States seen worldwide.
The Trump Administration:
Currently, the United States is experiencing firsthand the hijacking of the Department of Homeland Security under the Trump Administration. Despite the oversight given to the DHS from the PATRIOT Act of 2001, the DHS intended to protect the United States from terrorism. Through the politicization of immigration, the department has been weaponized to target law-abiding migrants. The exploitation of the DHS by the Trump administration is rooted in the party’s agenda against diversity and social change, rather than national security. By abusing his executive powers, Trump has enacted controversial actions such as family separation, detaining asylum seekers without due process, and the use of federal agencies to round up individuals with deep roots in U.S. communities, who often are without criminal backgrounds.
The actions taken by this administration have displaced numerous families and adversely affected communities throughout America. The Trump administration has tarnished the United State’s global reputation. Some argue, “Who cares about the opinions of other nations?” It’s important to recognize that the United States greatly relies on ‘soft power,’ which is derived from its international image. Trump and his supporters are engaging in a risky endeavor, one that the American people are ill-prepared to endure. Yes, it is true that Trump secured a second term, following deception and manipulation of the most vulnerable communities within America. The Trump administration does not advocate for the working class, is unsupportive of people with disabilities, and shows no concern for migrants seeking a brighter future. What the Trump administration has revealed thus far is that constitutional reforms are necessary to safeguard the American people from the malice that resides within some individuals. America is a land for the underdog, a nation forged through immigration and the promise of unparalleled opportunities: The American Dream.
Addressing the real issue & Establishing a path forward:
We must continue to accept refugees and grant asylum to those in desperate situations. The immigration system should remain accessible for those pursuing citizenship in the United States. Securing the U.S. border from real threats, such as terrorism, is crucial for our society and national well-being. The issue lies not with immigration itself, but with the exploitation of the immigration system, which poses a security risk. As noted in How did the US’s immigration system become problematic? the immigration framework is currently ineffective, strained, and lacks the flexibility to adapt to global changes.
Many immigration policies in our current system reflect former President Reagan’s policies from the 1980s, which are unsuitable for today’s global migration realities. These outdated policies undermine border security due to the rise in illegal crossings facilitated by smugglers. The U.S. needs to equip agencies such as the USCIS better so the agency can address asylum seekers court cases promptly and avoid delays. If the politicization of the immigration system were to end, our government could achieve both border security and improve assistance for individuals seeking a better future for themselves and their families. CBP and ICE are strained due to poor policy decisions. Other agencies are in dire need of proper funding to help resolve this crisis.
The US Customs and Immigration Services (USCIS), Office of Citizenship, and FDNS all require better funding and resources to effectively assist with border security. “Intelligence has shown that terrorists are interested in exploiting the U.S. immigration system to gain entry to the United States. USCIS faces an ongoing challenge to maintain system integrity and innovation. The Department of Homeland Security operates as a large organization for good reason. Each agency plays a vital role in protecting the U.S. therefore, reducing funds for one agency to enhance the political image of another is dangerous and has led to the noticeable consequences we are all currently living through. To effectively address the border crisis, we need to implement more modern policies and ensure that funding is properly allocated to the appropriate departments.
Sources:
TODAY. “How Did the US’ Immigration System Become Problematic?” YouTube, 14 May 2023
Bullock, Jane A., et al. Introduction to Homeland Security: Principles of All-Hazards Risk Management. Sixth Edition, Elsevier, 2021.
Treacy, Patrick. Moraine Valley Community College ICE Policies. 8 April. 2025
