by: Riley Blankenship and Lane Bumgarner

Greensboro College is an academic and social sanctuary for students and faculty of many diverse cultures and backgrounds. GC has made a point to celebrate these differences through Black History Month activities, Hispanic Heritage dinners and as well as hosting other events that promote education and cultural appreciation. In addition to fostering inclusivity through programming, the college also takes steps to ensure that all students feel safe and supported on campus. This commitment was recently highlighted in an email from the college’s communications department, outlining Greensboro College’s policies and procedures in the event that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) were to arrive on campus. The email reinforced the college’s stance as a welcoming institution while also addressing concerns about student privacy and safety. 

In the early months of his reelection, President Donald Trump has issued 108 executive actions. Among them, orders titled “Protecting the American People Against Invasion” and “Securing Our Borders” aimed to protect American citizens from “violent criminals” and “illicit materials,” but also expand ICE enforcement, including raids of K-12 schools and colleges. While the purpose of these bills seems harmless, there is no doubt that it has created a social hysteria among first-generation Americans and college students.  

Following the email sent by Greensboro College Communications on February 25, many students have expressed opinions and concerns about the matter. What will this compliance mean for students, international students, their financial aid and their Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) status? And why, given that bigger universities such as UNC Chapel Hill and NC State University have already declared their stance on the matter, is this being communicated so late?  

The Collegian spoke to Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Dan Malotky to get an explanation behind the college’s decision to send out the ICE protocol email, citing growing concerns over mass deportation discussions at the federal level and reports of ICE raids on college campuses. 

“We wanted to respond to concerns that faculty and staff had for our students, and that students may have had for each other, with alarming visions dancing in their heads of students and classmates being hauled away from campus by federal authorities,” Malotky stated. “We wanted to clarify the college’s position and provide guidance about how to respond in the event that ICE agents come to our campus.” 

He emphasized that while Greensboro College will adhere to the law, as a private institution, it does not collect information on students’ immigration status. Furthermore, FERPA protects private student information from being disclosed. Malotky noted, “Our ability to cooperate with federal authorities who are seeking to deport students is limited. It is our general policy that any representative of an outside agency, including ICE, who is looking for a member of the GC community or seeking information about the same should be directed to Campus Security, which will begin the evaluation process of the legality of the request.” 

The Collegian also spoke with Dr. Allison Palmadessa, a history professor here at Greensboro College, about the matter. When asked if she believed the ICE email was sent in a timely manner, she stated, “No, this was not addressed in a timely manner. This should have been communicated as soon as the ICE directives changed under the new administration. I hope that as more policies are handed down from Washington we can respond in a timelier manner.”  

In addition to faculty perspectives, the implications for international students are also a key consideration. Director of International Programs Paula Wilder shared her thoughts on how the policy may affect them. One key distinction Wilder emphasized was the classification of students based on their immigration status. She clarified that international students on student visas maintain legal status in the U.S. as long as they comply with visa regulations and return home after completing their studies. Similarly, students on other temporary visas can legally study in the U.S. without fear of deportation, provided they meet their visa requirements. Wilder also explained that her office ensures compliance with federal visa regulations through pre-arrival materials, on-campus orientation sessions and more, “We work closely with students to help them understand what to expect when they arrive and how to maintain their status.” 

As Greensboro College continues to navigate the complexities of immigration policies and campus safety, its commitment to supporting students of all backgrounds remains evident. While official protocols and resources are in place to protect international students, questions still linger for those with uncertain immigration statuses. As discussions surrounding ICE policies and student protections evolve, it remains crucial for institutions like GC to foster transparency, offer guidance, and ensure that all students, regardless of status, feel safe and supported.