As the fight for immigrant rights continues to intensify, graduate student-workers at the University of Michigan and Columbia University are taking a stand against the recent actions of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). These students, who are also members of their respective university’s graduate student union, are leading the charge to protect their fellow international students and fight back against any threats to academic freedom.
The recent actions of ICE have caused fear and uncertainty among international students, as the agency has been making arrests and detaining individuals on student visas. This has not only impacted the students themselves, but also their families who live in constant fear of deportation. The graduate student-workers at the University of Michigan and Columbia University have been at the forefront of this fight, using their voices and their union power to stand up for their colleagues and advocate for their rights.
To gain a better understanding of the situation, we spoke with four graduate student-workers at these universities about their experiences and the actions being taken by their unions. These students, who have chosen to remain anonymous for their own safety, have shared their stories and insights into the ongoing battle for immigrant rights.
At the University of Michigan, the Graduate Employees’ Organization (GEO) has been actively working to protect their international student members. One graduate student, who is also a member of GEO, shared their experience with us. “As an international student, the recent actions of ICE have been extremely unsettling for me and my fellow students,” they said. “We have worked hard to come to this country and pursue our education, and to constantly live in fear of being deported is a heavy burden to bear.”
The GEO has been actively organizing rallies and protests on campus to raise awareness about the situation and demand action from the university administration. They have also been providing resources and support for their international student members, including legal assistance and counseling services. “Our union is committed to standing with our international student members and protecting their rights,” the graduate student added.
Similarly, at Columbia University, the Graduate Workers of Columbia (GWC-UAW) have been fighting back against the recent actions of ICE and the FBI. Another graduate student, who is also a member of GWC-UAW, shared their experience with us. “The recent FBI raids on our fellow international students have been a major setback for our community,” they said. “But we refuse to be intimidated. We will continue to fight for the rights and protection of all students, regardless of their immigration status.”
GWC-UAW has been working with other student organizations and community groups to organize rallies and protests, as well as providing resources and support for their international student members. They have also been working closely with the university administration to demand stronger protections for their international students. “Our union is united in our commitment to protect the rights and well-being of all our members, especially those who are most vulnerable,” the graduate student added.
These unions recognize that the recent actions of ICE and the FBI go beyond just attacking the rights of immigrant students, but also pose a threat to academic freedom. “The McCarthyist attacks on academic freedom are deeply concerning and have no place in our universities,” said a graduate student from the University of Michigan. “We will not stand idly by as our colleagues are targeted and silenced.”
To combat these attacks, the unions have been working to educate their members and the wider community about the importance of academic freedom and the need to protect it. They have also been advocating for stronger policies at their universities that safeguard academic freedom and prevent any interference from government agencies.
The graduate student-workers at the University of Michigan and Columbia University are a shining example of the power of collective action and solidarity. They have shown that when students come together and stand up for what is right, they can make a real difference and bring about positive change. As the fight for immigrant rights and academic freedom continues, these unions will continue to be at the forefront, fighting for the rights and protection of all students.
