We’re living in a terrifying time where neighbors, workers, parents, and students are being unlawfully detained. Tracked down by bounty hunters, people are disappearing off the streets without a chance to say goodbye.
Fear darkens our daily life as the possibility of being kidnapped just for being Latino/a becomes more of a reality. So much so, that students and staff of the Morton College campus come to question their safety in the chance of being apprehended simply while walking to class. They search for answers as they seek any lifeline to cling onto for hope. As such, our administration released a statement regarding the issue.
Earlier this month, an email was sent out to staff providing them with limited instructions over the concern of a possible ICE raid and what to do in such an event. Teachers were told to walk all ICE agents down to President McLaughlin’s office and that he would oversee the situation from there. However, faculty raised concerns over the lack of actionable details offered.
An unsanctioned raid has become more of a realistic scenario as Cicero is overrun with ICE agents lurking in the shadows. More than ever before, students, faculty, and staff feel vulnerable as safety becomes an underlying fear. Therefore, in search of a broader support system, The Collegian staff turned to Melanie Buitron Loor, our campus liaison for undocumented students.
Melanny Buitron Loor is our Undocumented Student Liaison and Student Activities Assistant here in Morton College. We interviewed her to get an inside scoop on their view of the political climate, as well as what resources Morton College has to offer.
In 2021, a state law was passed in Illinois, HB3438 (Undocumented Student Liaison Bill), which mandates that all two-year and four-year public colleges have a staff member that is dedicated to assisting undocumented students and mixed-status families.
Although many college liaisons help in different ways, Melanny explained that her outreach is based on protection and advocacy. Her position provides resources such as Know Your Rights training, deportation safety plans, and even assists appointing attorneys and legal representation who are little to no cost. Assistance with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) renewal is also offered by the Undocumented Student Liaison. Even with these support services, it may cost a student $600 to have the application processed.
The Collegian staff spoke with Melanny about the many concerns students may have in these unprecedented times. Her answers, which have been edited for clarity, are included below:
Q: What would the scenario look like if ICE were to be on campus?
A: For context, there was an email sent out to faculty and staff on how to respond and support students, but there hasn’t been one sent out directly to students. If there was ICE presence on campus, they would be directed up to the President’s office and wouldn’t even be able to enter unless they had a judicial warrant.
Q: Is there another way to offer support to strengthen this protocol?
A: I will say it is a bit more complex than most people think. A way we can help is by possibly offering a response team with volunteers. However, there would be a lot of Know Your Rights training that would go into it, as well as being able to spot the difference between an administrative warrant and judicial warrant. Maybe one person can be trained in how to talk to ICE and one can operate our social media to alert people in the area and direct them away from students. Another essential person on this team can alert the rapid response team in Berwyn and Cicero about the ICE presence. A proper response team would really help us in these moments. It would be great to collaborate with our local police departments and see how that training looks for them and see how they could help us on and off campus.
Q: Has there been an increase or decrease in students reaching out for help?
A: There has been an increase in students reaching out due to recent events. Mainly, virtually through email. A lot of it is the result of students being scared and wondering if there is a plan in place for safety, especially since Cicero has been a popular area for ICE. A lot of sightings have been posted, even close to Cicero and Pershing. An increase in fear and insecurity has caused students to avoid class or even drop out.
Q: Can you share a story with us about a time when ICE’s raids directly impacted a student here on campus?
A: Yes, without going into detail, a student once came into my office asking for resources due to their parents being detained. I assisted the student throughout the process. Unfortunately, their parents ended up being deported leaving the student no other option but to drop out to support their family. It is heartbreaking to see someone take on such a hard responsibility to keep their family afloat. This student wasn’t undocumented, which goes to show that you don’t need to be undocumented to see the impact it has on a community.
Q: Do you agree with the statement that ICE detains the providers of the families to push Latino families further into poverty and keep us within our stereotypes?
A: 100%. That is probably what is wanted in the long run, while it may not be the direct motive. I do agree they want destabilization to keep not only Latino families but vulnerable communities into these stereotypical boxes. The narrative is that they’re taking “criminals” and “people who have killed” and pushing this false narrative on who Latinos are. Especially now with the Supreme Court ruling, ICE is allowed to racially profile Latinos. At that point, it’s not just destabilization that is affecting our community, but pure racism.
Q: Considering your experience, what do you think is the biggest hardship that students under DACA face?
A: It is important to note that I am the student that I serve, and as someone who has received that help, I want nothing more than to offer that to other students and essentially “pass that on” and continue the legacy of the ones who came before me. Now I am in the position where I am the person I had or wish I had. I care deeply about the work and the students. The hardest part would be mental health, finance, and resources.
Although Morton College does offer resources, it is mainly about whether students feel safe enough coming to me for assistance. Students nowadays are scared to open up to people and we’ve noticed that in the decline of people getting DACA. As someone who has DACA, there is that fear instilled in you about telling others your legal status, especially when navigating higher education.
Q: What does it mean to be an undocumented student navigating higher education?
A: In terms of financial assistance undocumented students can apply to the RISE Act, which is Map Grant funding for undocumented students and transgender students in Illinois. Morton has the HOPE scholarship, which was started by a Morton College student and passed down to me.
Q: Being undocumented, do you think it’s harder to advocate now because of these new policies?
Answer: It is a lot harder now than 2016 because of what is at risk. Many influencers are not as out there as they used to be. Especially for those who have mixed status families. A way I do advocate is by donating to all these organizations that help undocumented people. Even checking in on your friends helps a lot. So does supporting local Latino businesses.
Q: What is the process of applying for the HOPE scholarship?
Answer: Typically, when signing up, students are asked to write an essay about their hopes and dreams and what it would mean to them to be supported by the HOPE scholarship. Then we do require that students gather a letter of recommendation. As a member of the committee who read these letters of recommendation and essays, it instills a lot of hope in us seeing the support from the community, and how it impacts the students by lifting the financial burdens off their shoulders as undocumented students carry so much already.
Q: How is HOPE funded?
A: At the time HOPE was started by students, it was also funded by students. Typically, through a 5K run. The majority of the funds would come through those proceeds. We also used to have an in-person bookstore, and a percentage of those proceeds would go to the HOPE scholarship. Now that we don’t have a bookstore on campus, we have found donations through other means to sustain a level of consistency. Most funding comes from myself, the committee, and other donations.
Q: How can staff and faculty continue to be allies?
A: For those that are professors, they can help by including the Undocumented Student Liaison in their syllabus. As well as include a statement of some sort that says, “Morton College allows students to be here regardless of immigration status and we’re here to support you.” Besides offering support, they can connect them to me, as well as joining the committee for the HOPE Scholarship.
Q: How do you build trust with students and families?
A: The way I build trust is by introducing myself to them and letting these students and families know that I am undocumented as well. It gives them comfort knowing that I am someone like them. I also have this “Wall of Hope” in my office that was made in a time where I had lost hope myself, as a way to give me motivation. I’ve been told when students see this wall, it gives them hope and motivation. It’s also important to note I speak Spanish as well, as I can connect with a lot of ESL students, making myself as a resource more effective.
Q: How do you practice self-care?
A: I feel it is always important to have a mantra and remind myself that I am doing the best I can even in times where I can’t win them all. I know it will get me closer. It helps me out that I have an incredibly supportive boss and these amazing student aides who help me greatly. I also dance and go on walks to have peace of mind.
Q: Does supporting undocumented students make your child self-happy?
A: Yes absolutely, there was a time where I encountered a student who was eager to meet with me. I had let him know about the Dream.US Scholarship, and for months on end I helped him with the application. When he told me he got the scholarship, it was such a great feeling to see him thriving. My childhood self is very proud to see the impact, as well as knowing that person doesn’t feel alone. Every day I come into work, I make my childhood self even more proud.
Q: Is there a message you want to send to other undocumented students that feel lost?
A: I would like to tell them that you are not alone. You have support and community. As well as people who care for you and your well-being. You are more than your status, and no one can take away your education. You’re from here and there. Never lose your faith and never lose your hope.
In trying times where “safety” is a term that is questioned, we all search for hope. Here, we highlight the importance of sharing these resources. We are not asking for what is unreasonable. We would like a response team with an action plan to keep our peers safe. Compassion and flexibility are scarce in a time where students fear for their very safety. Fear lurks in the shadows, but light always shines through. This, in turn, puts the spotlight on these resources that remind students they’re not alone. Your status should not dictate your education, and we are not going to let it. Because of people like Melanny Buitron Loor, students know they have a voice and know they have a safe place within the college. If given more light to sources like Hope scholarship, then the next generation won’t have to hide who they are.
Here are some important external resources for undocumented individuals outside the college:
Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR)
National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC)
Cook County Public Defender’s Office Immigration Division
Here is the contact information for our Illinois Senators:
Richard J. Durbin (D)
1997-Present
Illinois Office
525 South 8th St.
Springfield, IL 62703
Phone: (217) 492-4062
Fax: (217) 492-4382
Kluczynski Federal Building
230 S. Dearborn, Suite 3892
Chicago, IL 60604
Phone: (312) 353-4952
Fax: (312) 353-0150
Tammy Duckworth (D)
2017-Present
State Office
230 South Dearborn Street
Suite 3900
Chicago, IL 60604
Phone (312) 886 – 3506