International students were at risk of being deported due to Trump’s Executive Order that would force students to in-person learning during COVID 19.  Immigration and Custom Enforcement’s (ICE) made an announcement in July that students who hold student visas must go back to their country because of the Fall 2020 online structure.  

After Trump’s decision to deport international students, Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and the University of Arizona joined the lawsuit along with 20 other universities.

The pressure of university institutions and students forced the Trump’s administration to reform their decision.  International students with online learning in the US would no longer be deported.

An international student decided to go back home for her senior year because the rule that ICE wanted to implement would have made things more complicated for her. That's why she strongly believes more students are going to vote in this 2020 upcoming election. 

“Our future life depends on the President and all other governors running our government. So I would like to believe and trust that students are going to participate in voting since that is the least we all can do,” said Yuka Amemiya. 

It is without a doubt that the number of students voting this year will increase. The reason being, students are just exhausted of the decisions made during the pandemic that has not made their education journey any easier.

Briseyda Perez, a recent Deferred Action Childhood Arrivals (DACA) graduate from Grand Canyon University said:

“The year 2020, the pandemic, and riots have definitely been the turning point of what the future holds. Therefore, lack of the proper initiative and measurements from the President has encouraged the younger generation to take action for a better United States.” 

It’s fair to say that more action needs to be taken and when November 3rd is here, whether by mail or in-person (while following health precautions), students are going to make sure their voices are heard at the polls.

 

Anna Deogratias, ASA Communication Fellow