Immigration is a hot topic leading up to the national election in November. On Tuesday night, VoteUP gave students the opportunity to learn about the issue of immigration reform at the panel “Immigration and Security in the Age of Terrorism.” This event, held in St. Mary’s, aimed to share information about Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump’s stances on immigration so students can make an informed decision on election day.
Philosophy professor Alejandro Santana and political science professor Lauretta Frederking presented information regarding immigration reform, immigration’s economic implications and the viewpoints on immigration that the presidential candidates hold, as well as how those viewpoints will be put into action once one candidate becomes president. Regardless of their political leanings, Frederking encouraged students to vote.
However, there were only about 20 students in attendance at the event.
Kathleen Burks, a member of VoteUP and sophomore ASUP senator, thinks attending events like these is important for students to make informed decisions when voting time comes.
“It’s the craziest election that’s happened in our lifetime, I think it’s especially important that people pay attention and be informed,” Burks said. “VoteUP is offering a good opportunity for students to hear from faculty and students, and I think that’s really beneficial to understanding how you want to vote and what matters to you.”
Frederking explained that Clinton has committed to proposing comprehensive immigration reform within the first 100 days of her presidency. The democratic nominee wants to close private immigration detention centers and to keep families together by helping more eligible immigrants to become naturalized.
Frederking contrasted this view with Trump’s stance. The republican nominee has stated that he wants to largely close off immigration for fear of people who he thinks may be a threat to the country. Additionally, Trump has often spoke of “the wall” he plans to build on the United States-Mexico border.
“There’s a strong tone that Clinton is emphasizing an opening with immigration, Trump is emphasizing a closing,” Frederking said.
Kelsie McKee, a sophomore political science major, spoke on the panel about her experience with the Border Immersion she went on through the Moreau Center. She highlighted the impactful moments at the United States-Mexico border, and encouraged students in the audience to consider going on the trip for more a well-rounded worldview.
McKee specifically spoke about her experience with witnessing what is known as “Operation Streamline” in Arizona. She explained that “Streamline” is where people go when they illegally cross the border into the United States and are caught in the process.
McKee learned that judges interact with 30 people per trial, the people get a short time pleading their case and almost always end up in a private detention center for 30 to 120 days. This is a huge cost to the economy and ultimately benefits the private detention centers in those areas.
“The way we handle the border and the way we handle immigration doesn’t seem like a strategic way to protect our national security,” Mckee said.
With all of VoteUP’s work, Burks hopes to get students more interested in voting.
“UP is a pretty apathetic community when it comes to voting, so I’m really hoping that through voter registration and VoteUP events, we’re getting students more excited about voting,” Burks said. “This election is obviously super important.”
Sitara Nath, a sophomore political science and philosophy major, found the panel informative and feels more students should attend VoteUP events.
“VoteUP is doing something really unique; they’re talking about things that a lot of the country is not really caring about right now,” Nath said. “VoteUP is trying to educate and also offer students an opportunity to be a part of the future … and to connect with the world, with the added benefit of expert opinions from different disciplines.”
VoteUP will be hosting a viewing of the first presidential debate between Clinton and Trump on Monday, Sept. 26, in the Pilot House at 6 p.m. Political Science faculty and VoteUP will host a follow up conversation on the key issues of the debate on Tuesday, Sept. 27 at 7 p.m. in St. Mary's. There will be opportunities to register to vote at both events.
