Immigration polices, higher education and public health were the main points of conversation at the Student Advocacy in a New Administration teach-in presented by UC Santa Barbara Lobby Corps and Undocumented Student Services on Jan. 22.
Also held in collaboration with UCSB Campus Democrats, the Associated Students (A.S.) Office of the President (ASOP) and the A.S. External Vice President for Statewide Affairs (EVPSA), around 50 students gathered in Phelps Hall to hear how to protect their rights and mobilize for their causes in light of a new presidency.
On his first day in office on Jan. 20, President Donald Trump rescinded 78 Executive Orders implemented by former President Joe Biden. The overturned orders aimed to lower prescription drug costs, strengthen Medicaid, utilize science in tackling the climate crisis and protect worker safety, among other things.
In the last week Trump has made moves to suspend Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) programs in federal agencies, limit federally recognized gender identities, restrict foreign aid and withdraw the U.S. from the World Health Organization.
“Obviously, there’s a lot of things happening in the federal government. We kind of want to unpack that [with] a little bit more information, but also get a little bit of hope, of things that we can do as student advocates to combat new policies that have been in place,” fourth-year political science and history of public policy and law double major, Lobby Corps co-chair and EVPSA Legislative Director Esther Mejia said.
Third-year political science and English double major and Campus Democrats field director Lucy Dixon specifically touched on impacts to higher education. Trump’s promises include the potential shutdown of the Department of Education, efforts to overhaul accreditation systems in higher education, revoking confidentiality of Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and eliminating the two lowest wage levels for H-1B visas.
“To strip an institution of its accreditation would make students ineligible for financial aid and degrees from such institutions with no longer focusing value, which is obviously retaliation for the movements for the liberation of Palestine that we saw in spring. It’s again, disheartening,” Dixon said.
Despite the current political implications of Trump being elected, Mejia said that there are many ways for students to get involved in student advocacy spaces. She touched on three main pillars of student activism — uplifting underrepresented voices and prioritizing student well-being, centering student safety through diverse forms of advocacy and building congressional knowledge and connections.
“And so as student advocates, we remain steadfast and committed to advocating for federal legislation and policies that support students, rights, safety and success across the nation,” Mejia said.
Mejia spoke about Transfer Student Lobby Day, UC Hill Day, FAFSA and California Dream Act Application (CADAA) workshops through the EVPSA office and other events students can get involved in. She also went over national efforts to combat Trump’s impending policies, such as a California bill that will mandate public schools to notify their students and community members when U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (I.C.E.) and federal law enforcement are on campus and over 20 states suing the Trump administration over his Executive Order on birthright citizenship.
Undocumented Student Services (USS) members fourth-year communication major Vilma Elvir and fourth-year political science major Gabriela Salazar presented USS programming, UCSB campus resources and UC immigrant legal services that students may access. The group handed out folders including information about educational data, privacy and protections such as Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), financial aid and marijuana advisory for immigrants.
“USS is committed to helping [undocumented] students grow and thrive in the UCSB community while they achieve their academic, professional and personal goals,” Elvir said. “So don’t be scared to reach out for help if you need it. The help is there for you.”
Upcoming USS programming includes an immigration updates Q&A, the UndocuSTEM Scholarship and CADAA and FAFSA workshops. Students also have access to USS Staff Attorney Amber Spring. According to Elvir, Spring is available for students who are undocumented themselves or need assistance with undocumented family members.
“I would definitely recommend this resource out of all of them, just because sometimes you never know you know the possibilities, and the UC does pay for legal fees. So I would definitely recommend,” Elvir said.
CORRECTION [1/30/2025, 10:14 a.m.] This article has been updated to attribute a quote to Lucy Dixon.
CORRECTION [2/6/2025, 10:40 p.m.] A photo of the attendees at the Student Advocacy in a New Administration teach-in was removed in protection of the identities of students in attendance. The Nexus deeply regrets this error.
A version of this article appeared on p. 1 of the Jan. 30, 2025 edition of the Daily Nexus.