The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

Call for more communication between DACA students, UI

Greater conversation between DREAMERs and the UI called for, students say.
UI+student+Emiliano+Martinez%2C+Hawkeyes+for+DREAM+Iowa+president%2C+speaks+before+a+hundreds+strong+crowd+of+Deferred+Action+for+Childhood+Arrivals+supporters+at+the+Old+Capitol+Building+on+Thursday%2C+Sept.+7%2C+2017.+The+Trump+administrations+decision+to+rescind+DACA+has+been+a+highly+controversial+issue+in+national+politics.+%28James+Year%2FThe+Daily+Iowan%29
The Daily Iowan; Photos by James
UI student Emiliano Martinez, Hawkeyes for DREAM Iowa president, speaks before a hundreds strong crowd of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals supporters at the Old Capitol Building on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017. The Trump administration’s decision to rescind DACA has been a highly controversial issue in national politics. (James Year/The Daily Iowan)

Following a recent scare for some students at the sight of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement vehicles, more conversation between the University of Iowa and DACA students has been called for.

Emiliano Martinez, a cofounder and vice president of Hawkeyes for Dream Iowa, said the sight of ICE vehicles parked at the Village Inn on Sept. 27 caused two days of hysteria among students. He said border patrol members were here to take part in the Job Fair the university was having.

The confusion in part, he said, lies in the lack of communication between the UI and its students who may feel threatened by seeing border patrol.

“The issue is not that ICE was here,” Martinez said. “The issue is about miscommunication and how [not telling students] isn’t seen as an issue.”

RELATED: Undocumented UI student talks DACA

Main concerns from students were not about themselves, he said, but what could potentially happen to their parents and families.

Following the incident, the UI released a statement in response to concerns about seeing ICE vehicles, explaining border patrol was here along with other government agencies for the Job and Internship Fair.

“The organization participated to build awareness for career opportunities within the agency, not for enforcement reasons,” the statement said. “As a unit within the federal government, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection meets all university guidelines to attend the fair and recruit students interested in pursuing careers with the agency.”

Earlier this month, the UI Staff Council released a statement saying the university fully supports and stands with students affected by the DACA repeal, aiming to create a welcoming environment to students.

“At its core, the University of Iowa is its people: students, staff, and faculty guided by the values of community, inclusion, and respect,” the statement said.

RELATED: UI community ‘stands in solidarity’ with DACA students

Surrounding the DACA conversation, Martinez said, it’s disappointing the UI let the presence of ICE fall through the cracks.

Hawkeyes for Dream Iowa began as a way to give a voice to DREAMERs and tackle issues that are difficult to work on, he said. Since DACA’s repeal, he said, the organization became an outlet for DACA, organizing a successful rally following the repeal.

An engaged and activated community sprang from Hawkeyes for Dream, Martinez said, resulting in group chats for those involved with the organization and its message. On the day of the Job Fair, he said, hundreds of concerned, confused messages came in, as no one knew what was going on with the ICE vehicles.

The issue of not knowing what ICE is doing in Iowa City does not lie in the job and services ICE provides, Martinez said, because the agency does do good things, such as stopping drug crimes. Instead, he said, the UI should acknowledge ICE vehicles could cause fear to some of their student population.

These issues should be put at the forefront of conversations to students, Martinez said. DREAMERs face very prevalent issues, he said, and the UI needs have open conversations and address all potential concerns to DREAMERs.

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About the Contributor
Kayli Reese, Managing Editor
Email: [email protected] Kayli Reese is the Managing Editor at The Daily Iowan. This is her fourth year at the University of Iowa and working for the DI. She worked as a news reporter her freshman year and the first semester of sophomore year, covering crime and courts. She has previous experience as a digital producer and news editor, and has interned at the Dubuque Telegraph Herald and Cedar Rapids Gazette.