ESL students discuss their feelings on president-elect Trump

Throughout president-elect Donald Trump’s campaign new immigration policies have been a common focus. Recently the Trump administration has announced that around 3 million illegal immigrants, with criminal backgrounds, will be deported. This controversial claim has sparked a multitude of responses from HC students and faculty.

The HC English Second Language program works with an array of students from different countries to help them further their studies in the United States. With current talk of deportations and immigration changes, some students feel targeted and threatened.

“They are worried that they will not be able to stay here,” HC ESL teacher Marina Lyon said, “and that they won’t be treated equally. I had to give them hope.”

With the HC program, these students are progressively improving their attitudes, but remain leery of the outcome. As a part of this program, the students feel the most targeted by Trump’s rhetoric, but they are remaining optimistic.

“First day was difficult, second day was better,” Lyon said, “I keep telling my students to take it one day at a time. We are from different countries, speak different languages, and have different religions, but we are a family.”

Despite the heated rhetoric surrounding immigration, there are many teachers and students who are willing to stand together for their fellow HC students.

“Our ESL department has made an effort to make [all students] feel welcome and trusting of us,” HC ESL teacher David Buchanan said, “It is important for our school to now, more than ever, to encourage and give [these] students a sense of place.”

The mention of new immigration policies has also caused worry amongst students who are closely related to the issue.

“Trump says whatever he wants and uses fear to drive his policies,” HC Junior Alexia Ruiz said.

Students that were formerly a part of the ESL program are also feeling the repercussions of Trump’s allegations against minorities.

“Some of the things Trump said really impacted students’ motivation and work ethic, but hopefully they will remain positive,” HC Junior Karen Rodriguez said.

Students that are outside of the ESL community are also taking notice of the differences that have emerged after talk of deportations was brought to the surface.

“ESL students might feel like outsiders and out of place, but we should be helping them,” HC Junior Eve Stoltz said.