ICE Raids and Mass Deportation

Walsh asserted that while Trump has said that he wants to remove all undocumented immigrants in the next four years, this is unrealistic due to long processing time in courts. However, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids have still risen significantly, since Trump removed schools, hospitals, and churches as protected areas. 

If anyone encounters ICE, Walsh emphasized that everyone has the right to remain silent and the right to a lawyer. As Wellesley’s campus is privately owned, ICE would need to have a search warrant signed by a judge to conduct a search on campus. 

Know your rights

Walsh then described that there are nuances to the First Amendment that everyone should know, especially international students. This comes amidst an executive order to cancel visas of pro-Palestinian student protesters and in anticipation of increased protests in the next four years, according to Walsh. While the First Amendment protects the right to assemble and protest, police and other government officials are allowed to place certain narrow restrictions on free speech.

Walsh said that the rights are the strongest in “traditional public” places, such as streets, sidewalks, and other public property, as long as you are not interfering with the purposes of the building. Rights become less strong on private property, such as Wellesley’s campus, where property owners set their own rules for speech.

The best way to know your rights is to carry a Red Card, which helps people assert their rights if they encounter ICE. Red Cards have been placed around Wellesley’s campus, including in the Data Lounge of the Science Center. 

Walsh specifically applied the First Amendment rights for international students who may attend the College. Even though peaceful protests are technically safe, Walsh discouraged all international students from attending them, as there is always a risk it could become violent. She instead recommended behind-the-scenes action, like volunteering or working for an organization that promotes the desired cause.

“They’re looking for every excuse to remove people from the U.S.,” said Walsh. “I hate to say this, but let the US citizens go to the protests.”

However, if an international student decides to attend a protest, Walsh recommended that they carry documents with them, such as a copy of their visa. If the police arrive, students should leave immediately. 

If students are under arrest, they have the right to:

• Ask if you are free to leave. If the officer says yes, calmly walk away.
• Ask why you are under arrest.
• Remain silent and ask for a lawyer immediately. Never say or sign anything without a lawyer.
• Refuse a search of yourself or your belongings.

Travel & Visas

While there is not yet an explicit travel ban, Walsh suggested students take precaution in the likely chance that there is, per a previous court ruling recognizing that a president has broad authority to enact bans. Walsh suggested that travel may be risky throughout the next four years, and only recommended essential travel, especially this spring and summer break. 

A ban may be enacted after Trump’s requested report on Antisemitism in college campuses is completed, on March 20. Wellesley international students have already been taking precautions against the potential ban. 

While there is not yet a travel ban, there are already signs of embassy delays in visa issuance and processing times. Due to workforce shortages, there will likely be fewer interview waivers and longer appointment waitlists. There also may be additional screening measures, or “extreme vetting,” in countries like India and China. As such, Walsh warned against trying to get a visa in another country.

Future of Work for International Students

Although there are not yet changes to Optional Practical Training Extension (OPT), which gives international students visa extensions in the US after getting jobs, Walsh anticipated increased requests for evidence challenging this program. 

Per Project 2025, Trump Administration members wrote that “the Department of State [should] eliminate … the number of visas issued to foreign students from enemy nations.” While this is not set in stone, Walsh recommended that students keep a detailed record of what they are doing at their jobs, in case their status is called into question. 

Going forward

Throughout the event, Walsh emphasized that this was the information she knew at the time of the event, on Feb 20. 

“Things may change tomorrow,” Walsh said. “There are new changes every day.”

At the end of the webinar, a student asked Walsh how US citizens can help immigrants and international students. 

“Share information from trusted sources, volunteer, and attend protests,” said Walsh. “Citizens are the ones who should and are able to exercise that right.” 

The growing number of these raids left many first generation and immigrant populations at Wellesley feeling anxious and uncertain about their futures. Paloma Ayala ’27, a Houston native, expressed her initial thoughts about the mass deportations occurring throughout the US Ayala explains that her family had been preparing for a Trump presidency for a while, and rushed to get their citizenship before he took office. 

 “Knowing that [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] ICE is now detaining naturalized citizens and residents, I am not only scared for my parents but also for my loved ones, the family of friends and my neighbors,” she said. “I feel helpless and every day I pray that nothing will happen to my mom or dad.” 

She emphasized that her parents are hardworking people who have sacrificed so much for their family, much like many immigrants, residents and naturalized citizens. 

“My heart just aches at the thought of so many families being separated,“ Ayala said.

Houston is a blue city within a predominantly red state. While it shares many of the same progressive views as other liberal-leaning cities, it exists in a state that supports more conservative policies. Despite this, Ayala explained how the Houston populace has come together in support of immigrant rights and have led numerous protests. 

“I am happy our community is speaking out on these issues back home. People of all ages are heading out to the hot spots in Houston to speak out against all of the mass deportations. There have been sightings of hate groups during these protests, and that is one of the things that scares me. I just wish there was more support with our state government, it feels like we are being left out,” Ayala said. 

On Jan. 14, disruptors carrying Nazi flags and white supremacist imagery gathered on an overpass in Houston, in response to recent demonstrations. This  is a reflection of the broader, dangerous ideology shared by these right-leaning groups, which continue to promote hate and discrimination across the country. Meanwhile, ICE agents have been criticized for acting on their own biases, disproportionately stopping individuals who appear to be Latinx. The hasty generalizations of immigration agents have led to the detainment of naturalized or birthright citizens. 

Another Houston native student at Wellesley College called the actions of ICE agents inhumane because of their tactics for arrest — often targeting places of community and culture. This has made people in the Houston community fear being in public spaces. They comment that while the Houston residents have protested, universities, which enroll many concerned students, have either remained silent or failed to provide adequate resources to support them. The student sees that same lack of action at Wellesley. They point out they haven’t seen any explicit aid from the administration or even statements that support students during a time of increased federal raids and intimidation. Ayala echoes this, saying she has only seen actions undertaken by students and the Office of Intercultural Education.

“Some clubs have been hosting support groups and there have been some emails that have been sent out by some individuals, but I have yet to hear anything from the college. Many students on this campus are terrified for their families, loved ones, and themselves. I think the least the college can do is to send out their support to the student body. The students are waiting for a bit of compassion,” said Ayala. 

Both students expressed that it is important for all community members, whether in a city or at a college campus, to come together to offer mutual support during such a confusing and stressful time. Ayala highlighted how it is disheartening for many students to witness a lack of proactive support from administration, especially when she believes their role should be to protect and progress the college and university collective, regardless of their immigration status. She believes it is through unity and shared compassion that people can ensure no one faces the challenges created by the new administration alone. 

Image credit: Wikimedia Commons

Contact the editor responsible for this story: Phoebe Rebhorn

Following Donald Trump’s return to the White House, many women online have begun promoting a variant of the 4B movement (or in English, the “4 No’s”) in the United States. This is in part due to the higher gender disparity among voters: according to exit polls, men preferred Trump 55% to 42% while women favored Harris 53% to 45%. This statistic reflects a sense of betrayal felt amongst many of the women and gender minorities who voted for Kamala Harris. Americans’ mimicking of the 4B movement can be seen as an act of protest not just against Trump voters, but also Trump himself, who has been found liable for sexual abuse, faced numerous allegations of sexual harassment and assault, and has consistently made sexist remarks throughout his life.

The implementation of a movement like 4B within Trump’s America is not without significance –– it would provide a means of control over one’s sexuality and personal relationships in the face of an administration seeking to restrict it.

However, the actual effectiveness of adopting the 4B movement from South Korea should be questioned. South Korea and the United States are both culturally distinct, and social movements must be understood within the context of their development. In South Korea, the movement’s gradual growth was primarily due to a mix of radical feminist forums and opposition to an influx of pro-natalist policies which do not currently exist to the same degree in the United States. In the United States, the reactionary discourse around the 4B movement quieted a week after the election in November.

Additionally, the 4B movement in South Korea has faced criticism for its transphobia and misandry. Given the current rise of trans-exclusionary radical feminism in the United States, including in state and national legislatures, the movement’s goals in the United States might accidentally serve to further attack and isolate transgender and nonbinary Americans (who, according to polling from the Human Rights Campaign, overwhelmingly voted for Harris). 

While it might seem tempting to advocate for a complete separation from men in terms of sex and romance, we must ask: does further alienating them actually help the cause? In placing both the fault and burden of punishment for the election results on men, it continues the greater gender rift within the United States which has fueled the political tensions that many Americans are trying to address.  

Contact the editors responsible for this article: Norah Catlin, Ivy Buck

Trump wasn’t the first wealthy individual to be elected president (say hello to JFK and the Roosevelts). However, despite the eternal ties between the powerful and politics, we always believed that the elite few could never drown out the voices of the average American citizens. However, with the 2024 election, we are starting to see a turn of the tides. That is, the ultra-wealthy are gaining control over the populace — not just the politicians. 

Because of his storied background of investing in the tech sphere, Musk has positioned himself to influence politics through avenues such as social media. For example, as owner of X, formerly known as Twitter, Musk had the platform’s engineers write a line of code that boosts his posts. People usually dismiss the influence of elites in politics because it is assumed that their political thoughts are constricted to the dinner tables of their fellow wealthy companions, out of the way from everyday interactions with the Average Joe. However, Musk’s power over the X algorithm proves that this is no longer the case. Throughout the year, Musk has directly broadcasted many posts endorsing and praising Trump to the smartphones of millions of people, reinforcing the Trump campaign’s talking points into millions of minds. The politics of billionaires are no longer restricted to themselves; instead, it is infused into the mainstream thinking to coerce the people under their power. 

On the other side of the aisle, Biden’s decision to drop out of the election is partially credited to many high-level Democratic donors threatening to stop their donations unless Biden left the race. We saw how Biden was not swayed into stepping down when millions of Americans were calling on him to do so; he only acted once the elites began to rethink their support. Here, we see the ultra-wealthy having a direct stake in determining who is on the ballot. The rich are no longer just giving large sums of money to their favorite campaigns — they are also directly influencing what the people see and who they can vote for.

Musk is just one among many billionaires who has become closely associated with Trump – data from OpenSecrets shows that out of the top ten highest individual contributors to the 2024 presidential race, eight of them contributed hundreds of millions to Trump’s campaign. We can see billionaires coalesce behind a figure who will enable a government that benefits them the most; these elites are working to influence a government that maximizes their profit. Musk’s SpaceX and Tesla have federal contracts worth several billion dollars. By betting on a Trump win, Musk effectively ensures his already-heavy pockets will never get lighter in the next four years. As a billionaire himself, Trump has no reservations about consulting with these people when making important decisions. Most recently, Trump handed the phone to Musk after receiving a congratulatory call from Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy. While the specifics discussed during the call have not been made public, it speaks volumes that Musk is able to gain a seat at the table purely because of how his money has connected him to Trump. If Musk is allowed to join in on a phone call, what will he be allowed input on next? If Musk is allowed, who else will be allowed at the decision desk?

Trump’s transition plans show that nearly anyone who can afford to pay the price can also have a say in the nation. Linda McMahon, former executive at World Wrestling Entertainment and donor of over $22 million to the Trump campaign, has been tasked with drafting policy to be implemented within Trump’s first 100 days. Howard Lutnick, CEO of Wall Street heavyweight Cantor Fitzgerald and personal donor to the Trump campaign, has been appointed the transition chief. Lutnick has reportedly used transition meetings as an opportunity to discuss matters relevant to his firm, such as cryptocurrency. With these executives in power, the Trump administration is posed to better advance the interests of the top earners. For example, venture capitalists are looking forward to Trump removing tax increases on capital gains and a blind-eye towards antitrust. Additionally, crypto investors are excited by Trump’s promise to make the United States the “crypto capital” by firing Gary Gensler, the current chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission. By firing Gensler, Trump would remove one of the few governmental figures actively working against crypto executives to regulate the industry. There is a symbiotic relationship between Trump and the billionaire class – they help him into office, and he implements the policy that allows them to dominate. 

The foundation of the United States was revolutionary at the time because it countered Europe’s idea of the landed aristocracy. However, 248 years later, the government for the people, by the people is cracking. We must come together to counteract the impending oligarchy the elites are assembling. These oppressive regimes seize control at moments like this–moments when people feel more hopeless than ever, when the nation is more fractured than ever, when we are quicker to blame each other over those who have created our conditions. We must be united on all fronts against this system that seeks to disempower our voices with their money. We must push for stricter legislation that limits how much outside money can sway our political system. We must reject the messages and endorsements of the elites from our mainstream conversations. We must work together at the community level to create a bottom-up approach that returns the power to the people. We must stop the billionaire oligarchy from swallowing our country whole.

Contact the editor(s) responsible for this story: Caitlin Donovan

On principle, disenfranchisement laws that prevent Americans with felonies from voting are undemocratic; they violate the foundation of a “government by the people” on which this country is supposed to operate. Due to the existence of these laws across 48 states, 1.7% of the voting-age population is unable to participate in the election process. While this is an already staggering figure, it is even more concerning when we consider that marginalized racial identities are disproportionately prosecuted by the criminal justice system, and, consequently, disenfranchised at a much higher rate than their white counterparts. Not only does this mean that citizens of color are more greatly impacted by disenfranchisement laws, it suggests a disparity in the party affiliations of ineligible voters, as a majority of non-white American consistently vote for democratic presidential candidates. Thus, election results from the current pool of eligible voters do not accurately reflect the views of the American people as a whole. By making the right to vote conditional, the very promise of power in the people falls short.

Disenfranchisement laws are especially concerning with regard to citizens in active incarceration. Laws that legalize forced manual labor in prisons persist around the country, reflecting the long-standing practice of exploiting incarcerated people as an inexpensive workforce; prisoners are paid only $0.33 to $1.41 an hour on average and make do with the bare minimum when it comes to food, clothes and hygiene supplies. Despite being active members of the country’s labor force, involuntarily and without fair pay I might add, these people are barred from voting. They can benefit the country economically, but they cannot have a say in how it is run — a concerning dichotomy in a country that prides itself on justice for all.

In conclusion, the disenfranchisement of individuals with felony convictions represents a profound failure of the democratic process in the United States, undermining the very principles of political equality and participation. While millions of Americans are stripped of their right to vote, the systemic racial disparities in the criminal justice system make this issue even more egregious. Furthermore, the continued exploitation of incarcerated people, many of whom are denied both the right to vote and fair wages for their labor, exemplifies a troubling contradiction within a nation that claims to champion freedom and equity. The failure to extend the right to vote to all citizens is a grave injustice that perpetuates inequality and denies people the opportunity to fully engage in the democratic process. Until these laws are abolished, the promise of a truly representative democracy will remain an incomplete ideal.

Contact the editor(s) responsible for this story: Caitlin Donovan

According to a Wellesley News survey sent out to the student body on Election Day, nearly 90% of the 286 people who responded voted for Kamala Harris. The News reported live updates from multiple election day watch parties on Tuesday night, where sentiments shifted from students cautiously hopeful for a Harris win to devastating shock as Trump’s lead widened throughout the night. 

Trump won both the Electoral College and the popular vote, the first Republican to do so since 2004.

“I kind of expected the Electoral College to go to Trump, [but] I was disappointed in the popular vote,” said Shivani Swaminathan ’28.

The next morning, there was a noticeable mood shift on campus as many professors canceled class, and students were seen hugging one another for support.

On Wednesday, Rori Li ’28 sported a blue suit that she brought from home to show support for Harris and disappointed peers. She was unable to vote because her ballot came too late, but she wanted to make up for not casting her vote.

 “I was … worried about the state of the College’s reaction to this,” Li said.

On Wednesday night, about 30 students attended a “primal scream” in the Academic Quad, which was organized on Sidechat and Instagram as a way to process the election results many Wellesley students did not anticipate.

Although Ashley Greene ’28 narrowly missed the scream after running to the Academic Quad from the Science Center, she still felt empowered by the solidarity.

“It felt like other people were getting their stress out. It felt good to hear the amplified voices of so many people,” Ashley Greene said.

Ashley Greene, from North Carolina, was disappointed that Trump won her home state for the third time. North Carolina was the first key swing state to go to the Republican Party on Nov. 5. 

“I just felt betrayed. I knew we went red last [election]. I had hoped that we would learn from our mistakes, but it didn’t work out that way,” Ashley Greene said.

Other students who come from more conservative states shared concerns for their family and friends back home.

“My state is very immigrant populated,” said Emily Goldstein ’27, from Houston, Texas. “Just seeing how this is going to impact my family, my friends, my community — it’s just hard to watch everything unfold.”

Svetlana Greene ’25, from Minneapolis, Minnesota, said that she is not as worried about her hometown because many rights remain protected in that area. Tim Walz, the state’s governor and the Democratic Vice President candidate, appeared to offer a shelter from conservative policies in a remark last Friday. 

This may not be the case for many of Svetlana Greene’s peers,  who may have to move from their home communities due to issues like abortion access. In Minnesota, abortion is legal under all circumstances.  

“I know many students that live in red states, and I worry a little bit about their choice of future,” said Svetlana Greene.

During this emotional aftermath of the election, students are left to find ways to cope.

“It’s been hard to see the light and think about steps forward, but I think I’m slowly getting there. I’m a prospective music major, so art is also going to be a really big output for me,” said Jordan Scoville ’28.

Students are looking at how Harris supporters can continue to fight for their rights, especially during the next four years.

“I think the most important thing is to just move forward and know what actions we have to take during the time that he’s president to make sure that things are as minimally bad as possible,” said Niharika Wangikar ’28. “For me, the most important thing is just grieving, resting and then determining how to take action from there.”

Still, concerns remain among students, especially among transgender students — a demographic that the new president-elect has constantly targeted.

“As a trans person, I’m worried about my ability to transition and my autonomy with the federal abortion bans that lawmakers on the right have proposed,” Scoville said. “I’m scared for my fellow trans friends, especially those of them younger than me who had zero say in this, but are going to the ones most affected.”

In an October campaign ad, Trump said he would end transgender care in prisons and jails and restrict access to gender-affirming care and transgender participation in sports.

Goldstein extends this worry to Trump and his supporters targeting women, immigrants and others in the LGBTQ+ community.

 “It will give those people a larger voice, and women will be put in this situation that is more unsafe. It will just be a time of terror. I’m very scared as a woman,” said Goldstein. “What else Trump is willing to do?”

Contact the editor responsible for this story: Valida Pau, Sazma Sarwar

It is a sad but true fact that as the general election looms closer, the major party candidates tend to shift more towards the center as they appeal to the swath of undecided, centrist voters. However, I hope that no one is entirely disillusioned with the notion that Kamala Harris has completely lost the liberal leanings that defined her early career. With this being said, it is worth considering whether Harris was always the candidate we often imagined her to be. 

I think it’s important to draw a distinction between the Harris campaign we saw in 2020 and the Harris campaign of today. In 2020, Harris didn’t even make it through a round of primary voting. At that time she had no major executive experience, so her best bet was to lean into the image of a liberal senator that offered an alternative to the more centrist options, such as Biden or Buttigieg, and who was also younger and more energetic than Warren or Sanders. However, Harris’s campaign barely got off the ground as it lacked both funding and a coherent campaign strategy. Additionally, Vice President Harris has earned significant experience since her first presidential run, gaining both executive and international experience. Considering all of this, it seems somewhat unfair to compare Harris of 2020 to the Harris we see today. 

However, I think it is fair to say that Harris has refined her platform as a candidate since she became the de facto nominee after President Biden dropped out of the race this past July. Notably, while still a major advocate for Gun Control, Harris has recently spent more time advertising her gun ownership. Additionally, as her campaign has developed an image independent of her as the first major party presidential nominee to be a woman of color, she has locked in on the notion of an opportunity economy. 

This is also where I need to share a hard truth. You express frustration that Harris isn’t responding to her voters because she thinks that former President Trump has set the bar so low that it doesn’t matter. The truth is, she is listening to her potential voters, but she probably isn’t listening to you. I don’t say this to mean we shouldn’t hold politicians accountable for their actions through our vote, and I believe many young people are angry at Harris’ inaction on the genocide in Palestine.

However, for every young person angry at Harris, there is a fiscally conservative 40-something who now feels more seen by Harris’s focus on abortion rights and an accessible economy. And to the Harris campaign’s credit, the youth vote is powerful, but it is also unreliable. Voter turnout for people under 29 usually hovers around 30%, for people over 45 it hovers around 65%. I appreciate where you are coming from. It is incredibly hard to feel excited about a candidate that you now feel is letting you down. However, I hope it brings you some peace to know that Harris is listening, even if it isn’t to you. 

As always, if you are a member of the Wellesley community and have thoughts on the presidential election or on this most recent article, Please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/V7VYFs3A9tVp24vv9

“Majoring in transgender operation on illegal immigrants” – Sidechat

This quote was perhaps one of the most engaging and upvoted sidechat posts immediately following the debate. It is in reference to a controversial quote from former President Trump who alleged that Harris intends to “do transgender operations on illegal aliens who are in prison.” The quote requires significant context, as it likely refers to Harris’s response to an ACLU questionnaire addressing the rights of incarcerated individuals. Regardless, it is refreshing to see a large quantity of Wellesley students actively engaging with political media, finding humor amidst the seriousness and showcasing the critical self-awareness shaped by a liberal arts education. 

“Well that was a very … political answer” – Overheard at PSMC viewing in PUNE

As the debate shifted towards foreign policy, the moderators questioned the Vice President on her plans to end the violence in Gaza. The ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people and the United States’ continued support for Israel has haunted Harris’s campaign, and it is a commonly cited concern amongst undecided Wellesley students. During the debate, Harris tried to strike a middle ground between denouncing the violence against Palestinians and maintaining support for the state of Israel. She used politically charged language to describe the “slaughter” of innocent Israelis on Oct. 7, but she also called for an immediate ceasefire. Moreover, she affirmed Palestinians’ “right to self-determination” while also upholding Israel’s “right to defend itself” against Hamas — a stance that many Wellesley students watching the debate in the packed Cazenove TV room found paradoxical, hollow and disingenuous. In the end, to the dismay of many unconvinced of Harris’ sincerity in supporting Palestine, her answer didn’t mark a significant change in her strategy or a signal a departure from the stance of the Biden Administration. So, while she likely maintains support of AIPAC, the answer fell flat to many Wellesley students and others concerned about the United States’s continual supply of weapons to Israel. 

“We need a Wellesley Republican Club” – Sidechat

This post faced significant backlash from the Wellesley community on Sidechat, but it presents an interesting question of how one might understand political diversity — even in an election season as contentious and high-stake as this one. Wellesley does not currently have an active Republican student chapter. It is frequently discussed how Secretary of State and notable Wellesley alum, Hillary Clinton, was a former member of the Wellesley Republican club. Many have argued that the present Wellesley community harbors significantly less political diversity compared to other points in its political history. However, these statements require context. On the one hand, while Wellesley campus definitely leans liberal, it is also true that more conservative Wellesley students will often isolate themselves to smaller political circles as they know their views will be rejected by most of the campus community. Additionally, the massively negative reaction towards the desire for a Wellesley Republican club is likely exaggerated due to the false and incredibly harmful statements made by the Republican Party’s nominee. As to the potential for a Wellesley Republican club, many on this campus would benefit from increased exposure to different political ideas;  however, it seems difficult to imagine a conservative org on this campus that would not also act as a safe haven for racism, elitism, homophobia and transphobia. 

“I think she’s going to win … he went off the rails” – a construction worker at the KSC pool 

Both major media outlets and the larger Wellesley community seem to agree that Vice President Kamala Harris offered a good performance during the presidential debate. She was successfully able to goad and push Trump towards incoherent rants. This success has also been reflected in the polls where Harris has either maintained her lead or seen a slight boost. Regardless, many on the Wellesley campus, including these writers, are optimistic about the Vice President’s chances come November.

Contact the editor(s) responsible for this story: Caitlin Donovan