University/Organization
Counselor Education Department
California State University, Stanislaus
Turlock, California
Health Education and Promotion Department
California State University, Stanislaus
Turlock, California
Title
Addressing the Difficult Topics of DACA, Undocumented Immigrants, and Refugees
on Our Campuses: A Roundtable Discussion for Faculty Members
Synopsis
Due to several administrative changes and philosophies in the Trump Presidency regarding the
foretold ending of the DACA program, increased deportation of undocumented immigrants, and a
vastly reduced admittance of refugees into our country, many university faculty are finding it
difficult discussing these issues in this “new reality.” Preliminary research with faculty members at
California State University, Stanislaus reveals that there is great trepidation in what to discuss with
students, how to safely broach various issues, and how to handle difficult conversations
surrounding these topics. Stanislaus State is a “Hispanic Serving Institution,” having over 50% of
its students identifying as such. We also have over 220 DACA students, many of whom have
reported feeling frightened, nervous, and worried the declaration of their status will now be used
against them. They report “living in fear and dread each day” believing they could be deported at
any time.