‘It’s hard to sleep these days”: MU student group demands change from university as students fear loss of legal status
Nia Hinson
COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)
University of Missouri international student State says he lives in a constant state of fear.
Stand Up 4 Students coalition staged a walk-out in front of Jesse Hall to protest, as many international students across the country fear getting their legal status revoked. At least 100 people gathered on the north side of Jesse Hall at 2:30 p.m. on Friday afternoon.
“Me and my girlfriend, we are always scared,” he said. “I feel like I have zero control in my life. Tomorrow my life can change. Tomorrow I can find myself deported.”
State — who wished to be identified by just that name — says his worries have only grown since President Donald Trump took office in January. Thousands of foreign students have had their visas revoked at the hands of the Trump Administration, including five on MU’s campus.
According to university spokesman Christopher Ave, all five of those students have had them reinstated. But for some students like State–who is from Egypt– still say the chance of being deported is a constant, overwhelming thought.
“Sometimes that makes you kind of go through destructive stuff. Like first of all, you procrastinate and you play a lot of games. You’re trying to distract your mind,” State said.
Students also protested the university’s compliance with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency and Anti-Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility policies.
Students chanted the words “Say it once, say it twice, we will not put up with ICE,” demanding the university take into consideration their concerns.
The Stand Up 4 Students coalition has a list of demands for the University of Missouri that includes:
Protect the freedom of speech of students, specifically students with visas, by refusing to report and/or punish students on the basis of criticism of the United States and its allies.
Respect the autonomy of student organizations by refraining from academically, financially, or otherwise punishing student organizations for events promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Ensure that there is no compliance or assistance with Immigration and Customs Enforcement investigations and searches, unless otherwise required by law.
Pursue recruitment policies and scholarship opportunities that actively seek out Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, and
Provide legal support and a pathway to degree completion for students whose visas are cancelled.
In a statement sent to ABC 17 News Friday afternoon, MU spokesman Christopher Ave said the university is committed to freedom of speech.
“University policies regarding compliance with law enforcement investigations were implemented to provide clear guidance to university employees should they be approached by someone from a law enforcement agency,” the statement reads. “Any notion that employees should attempt to impede law enforcement officials is untenable and could put our employees at risk of physical confrontation or arrest.”
Ian De Smet attended Friday’s protest. De Smet said he was born in Kansas, but grew up in Chile before coming back to the U.S. to attend college. He stood outside Jesse Hall on MU’S campus Friday with tears in his eyes as he spoke about the discomfort he says it brings him to know what others are enduring.
“As much as I hold that passport and that social security number, like at heart I’m Chilean… as much as it might feel overwhelming, we need to take a stand against that,” De Smet said.
Friday’s protest took a turn when the president of the College of Republicans showed up.
He stood in a yellow shirt, wearing a “Make America Great Again” hat and carrying a yellow, black and white flag reading “College of Republicans.” His appearance drew attention from protesters immediately, with some yelling at him to leave. He claimed he only wanted to speak with protesters.
Protester Piper Molins was seen trying to calm the crowd down, telling people to pay attention to the person who was giving their testimonial at the time, rather than him.
“It’s disturbing, it’s frustrated to be interrupted, however he does have the same right to free speech,” Molins said to ABC 17 News after the protest.
According to Ave, the university will also abide by a 2023 supreme court decision to eliminate race-based recruitment and scholarships.