As the Trump Administration continues with an eventful first few months in office, an executive order aimed towards international students who’ve participated in campus protests threatens academic opportunity.

This order, released Jan. 29, is stated to be a step toward combating what Trump described to be “vile anti-Semitic discrimination” following nationwide college protests in support of Palestine beginning in October of 2023. 

With a campus housing over 2,000 international students, this order may affect Oregon State University students formally or currently exercising their freedom of speech. This right, according to university spokesperson Rob Odom, is “protected under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution as well as the Oregon state constitution.” Meaning that this order has yet to hold any true federal authority for OSU’s administration. 

Odom said that regardless of citizen status, “These rights apply to all individuals in the United States and in Oregon.” However, with statements coming directly from the White House demanding the identification of international students participating in pro-Palestine protests, the question remained as to how much protection OSU can provide for international students working towards their degree in America.

An article from the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education highlights the weight of this order past the legal concerns. “International students will now be rightfully afraid that their words — not just their conduct — are under a microscope,” FIRE said. 

 With this fear in mind, Odom introduced new ways the OSU administration is actively preparing its faculty and staff to support these students. The most crucial tool remains to be education for combating misinformation — thus leading to a new workshop introduced this year titled “How to Support Beavers Navigating Immigration Matters.” 

In addition to keeping faculty informed and prepared, “There are many resources available to international students to navigate feelings of vulnerability, including the Office of International Services and the Dreaming Beyond Borders Center,” Odom said. 

Third-year liberal arts student Grace Fast highlighted their current job as a Resident Assistant at the International Living and Learning Center as another great resource for international students on the OSU campus. Fast stated that students go to her “with a wide range of issues, not just academic.” 

The ILLC also provides informational support with one-on-one services included with programs such as INTO OSU connecting international students to the services best fit for their needs.

While legal concerns are best handled with ASOSU Student Legal Services, according to Odom, the specific order presented by the Trump Administration holds no threat to international students legally. 

Odom said on a state and federal level, “the Executive Order does not change our nation’s immigration laws or regulations, which require some due process prior to revocation of visas or deportation.” Furthermore, FERPA protections ensure anonymity and protection from the Trump Administration’s call for the records and information of protesting students. 

Nevertheless, Trump reiterated his plans to target international students: “I will also quickly cancel the student visas of all Hamas sympathizers on college campuses, which have been infested with radicalism like never before.” In response, Odom offered comfort to international students on the OSU campus as a sanctuary state. 

That being said, there remains some uncertainty over whether such laws can completely prevent authorities from targeting immigrants at large. 

Sanctuary states such as California and Colorado have seen large ICE raids contributing to efforts established by the Trump Administration to meet a daily quota of arrests, according to a report by NBC and the Washington Post. Additionally, about 40% of detained immigrants have no criminal record or are facing any criminal charges as being undocumented is a civil offense, also documented by NBC.  

All students can express and exercise their First Amendment rights, and under the additional security of the Oregon Sanctuary Promise Laws, Odom emphasized that campus administration will uphold all legal rights and enforce that “All voluntary requests from federal agencies to the university related to civil immigration enforcement will be denied, documented and reported to the Oregon Department of Justice.” 

As discussions around the executive order continue, OSU leadership reaffirmed its commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all students, regardless of citizenship status. The university continues to provide resources, education and advocacy to ensure that all members of the OSU community can exercise their rights and pursue their academic goals on a safe campus.