Amid student protests, reorganization of University departments and a change in its “Unifying Values,” USC’s campus has been one of many that are feeling the effects of new White House policies. But with the growing need for administration support, students have continued to be let down.

“The University could do better on meeting the needs of international students, especially with uncertainties that face federal policies,” said Undergraduate Student Government senator Jeremiah Boisrond and a sophomore majoring in legal studies. “[And] reassuring students that it’s going to be okay, or at least, provide them some sense of community.”

Boisrond’s platform for his second term as senator also focused on the priorities of international and undocumented students. Specifically, he called for “bolstering” legal resources for students with uncertain immigration statuses through funding allocations to the Immigrant Legal Assistance Center operating out of the Gould School of Law.

“We’ve been working with our administrators in student life to see if we can fund offices that are critically underfunded … One of them being the ILAC,” said USG president Brianna Sanchez, a senior majoring in legal studies and pursuing a master’s degree in postsecondary administration and student affairs, echoing Boisrond’s concerns. “We’re going through a proposal to see if we can give them over $50,000 in rollover funds.”

While the ILAC has not necessarily seen a decrease in funding due to new policy or threats of federal funding cuts to universities, the center has seen an increase in demand for its services.

“We have had a lot, a lot, a lot of consultations, a lot more need for outreach presentations, a lot of people who are scared, who have contacted us [and] asked, ‘What do we do if [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] comes to campus? What do we do if it comes to our house or our parent’s house?’” said Jean Reisz, co-director of the Immigration Clinic and associate professor of law.

Advice for affected members of the USC community has mainly centered around “know your rights” initiatives, yet this era of immigration policy is in many ways unprecedented.

“What I’m seeing is a presidential administration that is taking action that is unlawful,” Reisz said. “The president has very broad authority when it comes to immigration, but that authority is checked by existing immigration law … and certain rights under the Constitution … The president is trying to use executive power to basically depart from what the law says is allowed, and I think that that’s very problematic.”

In response to the unpredictability of the Trump administration and how the USC administration may have to adapt, Sanchez’s USG administration has attempted to take matters into its own hands.

“Since the election, my entire plan pivoted,” Sanchez said. “Student need is elsewhere, and you need to address that. So we’ve been working really hard to communicate with offices on campus … to ensure that we know what’s going on, and what are these changes and how are they going to affect our student body.”

The Undocumented Trojan Success Assembly is an important avenue for addressing students’ immigration and status-related needs on campus. UTSA organizes events like their Undocumented Student Week of Action to connect with their community, but has pivoted to focusing more on their advocacy efforts.

“We’ve been working a lot with our [UTSA] advocacy liaison [Elvia Castillo]. She’s been working really hard to see if there [are] alternatives for work study because, obviously, our undocumented Trojans don’t qualify for work study unless they’re protected or they still have DACA status,” Sanchez said.

Looking ahead, she hopes that the next USG administration will continue efforts that set UTSA up for success so that they can continue their advocacy. Organizations like UTSA and the ILAC help ensure that USC students can pursue an unhindered education regardless of immigration status or fears of displacement.

“[Immigration policies] affect our Trojans who are undocumented or who have different legal statuses, because they were admitted on the same merits as any other student,” Boisrond said. “So it does become frustrating when you have that lack of support from administrators.”

Boisrond explained the hypocrisy of University administration pledging to create an equitable and inclusive environment, yet allowing disruptions to that sense of community because of external pressures — one example being the Office of Inclusion and Diversity’s integration with the Culture Team. Others were more understanding that the USC administration had to take action.

“The University is going to want to comply [with immigration policy],” Sanchez said. “And that’s normal for any university to do.”

Despite the further changes expected on campus and the uncertainty facing the international and undocumented community, knowledge of how the system works is key.

“One of my concerns is … the fearmongering,” Reisz said. “Part of the plan is to scare people, and prevent them from exercising their rights, make[ing] them want to give up.”

Ultimately, Sanchez reminds us to be empathetic and ready to help those around us.

“It’s very important to realize that a lot of our undocumented Trojans are right next to us,” Sanchez said. “[And] you need to recognize that if the roles were reversed, you’d want someone to support you.”