Opinion | Higher education must engage in critical social issues

As seen in volume 113, issue 8 of The Collegian

Speaking up on current issues relating to the current social and political climate as a college can be controversial. There are benefits to remaining neutral, but there are also drawbacks that come with apparently avoiding certain topics that shape our world. In an era where information is widely accessible and societal issues are deeply intertwined with daily life, institutions of higher learning have a responsibility to foster awareness and dialogue rather than retreat to neutrality.

With this in mind, there is a very prominent issue going on in our country today. Donald Trump was inaugurated on January 20, 2025 and since then, the administration has been very adamant on carrying out their mass deportation plans.

The fear of enforcement raids by ICE has caused many students and adults to stay home from work and school due to the fear that they may be detained by ICE agents. Many of these people have families, own houses, have lived in the United States for a majority of their lives, and came to the US in the first place as a way to seek security and a better life, but all of this could be destroyed in the matter of a few seconds if raided and detained by ICE.

A very important thing to note is that the Trump administration cleared the way for immigration enforcement officers to take action on campuses. This means that ICE can raid any college campus and detain any undocumented individual, without warning. There have been instances where they have also detained individuals who are legally here.

For this reason, I believe all colleges and universities, including Bethel College, must be prepared to respond if ICE comes knocking on their door. Students, faculty, and staff deserve to feel safe where they learn and work, which requires clear support from college leadership.

In the past, it has seemed as though Bethel College has been naive in thinking that we are immune from what’s going on in the broader world. For instance, we just had safety cameras installed this past year when more than 50 school shootings took place in 2024. Although Bethel College may be located in a small town, it is not exempt from the challenges faced by other institutions and within society as a whole.

Given this reality, Bethel College must take a clear stance on how it would respond to an ICE raid. Many individuals in our community are vulnerable, and the college has a responsibility to support them by outlining its course of action and ensuring everyone is informed of their rights. This kind of transparency and commitment is essential – not only to protect those directly impacted but also to reinforce the college’s values of inclusivity, justice, and human dignity. Without such measures, fear and uncertainty may undermine the sense of safety and belonging that a college campus should provide.