Pierce College should show solidarity with its students in the face of student visas being revoked and particular students getting singled out and arrested for participating in protest against government overreach by the administration of the executive branch.
Pierce can display support in a number of ways, such as by putting out a statement condemning the administration’s actions or by echoing the statements made by others affected by raids and deportations. With Secretary of State Marco Rubio stating that he has revoked about 300 student visas, the students should have reinforcement from the faculty that they will be supported.
Pierce could write an open letter to the Trump administration in line with the letter written by Harvard University. A statement condemning the violation of the rights of students and supporting the actions taken by the Big Ten universities such as the defense compact would be much appreciated.
While Pierce doesn’t have the legal power of a big law school, displaying a similar sentiment would be good for the mental well being of the students.
The administration could join the list of signers on the public statement developed in collaboration with the American Association of Colleges and Universities and the American Academy of Arts & Sciences. The statement “A Call for Constructive Engagement” is an advocation for open discussion and questioning. People in a place for higher learning should not fear having their inquiries be censored or be cause for retribution or deportation.
The statement calls for reasonable action and condemns the government intrusion of colleges and universities that question the government’s action. The statement is open for signature by any academic institution and has been signed by many colleges, universities and organizations, such as West Los Angeles College, CSU Northridge, UCLA, Harvard and the New York Academy of Sciences.
As of May 16, there were more than 650 signatures from institutions and organizations across the country. Pierce President Ara Aguiar should be on that list. Not only would this show that Pierce is dedicated to upholding the rights of students, but it would contribute to the growing movement against government stifling critical thought.
