Students in Nevada get support despite immigration issues

Nevada has always been open to undocumented students. The state has a culture of welcoming all students to schools, regardless of legal status. But things are changing under President Trump’s tough immigration policies.

Some are afraid of being caught by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). UNR (University of Nevada, Reno) officials said that two students left school because they feared ICE would follow them home. This fear is affecting students at all levels, not just in higher education but also in K-12 schools.

Support for undocumented students in Nevada

UNR offers many resources for undocumented students. One of these is the NevadaFit program, a weeklong orientation. Over time, the program has added sessions to help Latino families.

“President Sandoval and his team meet with Latinx parents to discuss opportunities at UNR,” said Michael Flores, the university’s vice president of government and community engagement. “We make sure they know what resources are available.”

UNR does not ask about their immigration status. It’s impossible to know which are documented and which are not. But many find support through programs like UndocuPack. Janet Najera, the Latinx community coordinator, connects students with resources and campus organizations.

When they need mental health support, Najera directs them to services like the biweekly support group for undocumented students. “This group offers a safe and confidential space to discuss their immigration-related concerns,” she said.

Financial aid

In Nevada, there are state programs to help undocumented students pay for college. These programs fill in the gaps where federal aid doesn’t reach.

The state passed laws to create scholarships and financial aid for students, regardless of their legal status. The Nevada Promise Scholarship, passed in 2017, helps cover the cost of community college. Students are also eligible for the Millennium Scholarship if they graduate from a Nevada high school and maintain a good GPA.

Another important change came in 2023. Assemblymember Reuben D’Silva sponsored AB226, which allows those who’ve lived in Nevada for 12 months to get in-state tuition. This is a huge help for people in the DACA program who didn’t graduate from a Nevada high school.

“Not many states offer this,” Flores said. “Nevada is a great resource for undocumented students.”

The future for undocumented students

Many are worried that ICE might raid the campus. But Flores said that hasn’t happened at UNR. If ICE were to come, they would have to inform UNR police, and legal counsel would be involved.

“If ICE has the proper paperwork, we can’t stop them. But they won’t just show up randomly,” Flores explained.

Under the Trump administration, ICE was allowed to arrest people at sensitive places like schools and churches. However, Assemblymember Cecelia González introduced AB217 to stop this. The bill would prevent ICE from entering K-12 schools without a warrant or court order. While it doesn’t cover colleges, ICE would still need proper legal documents to access UNR.

UNR also has a partnership with UNLV’s immigration clinic. The clinic provides free legal services to people at risk of deportation. “They have been a huge help,” said Flores. “When they have concerns, they can call the clinic for guidance.”

Abigail Haduca, an intern, said faculty are more understanding during these times. If students don’t feel the effects of the current immigration policies, she said, “That’s a privilege in itself.”