From Intervention to Immigration: Examining Civil Disobediance in the U.S.

The current presidential administration has brought a mix of feelings to many citizens residing in the United States and those who hope to come here in the future. One familiar feeling among the immigrant community is fear—fear of being sent to a country where they may lack resources and are uncertain of when they’ll see their family again. For immigrants, the threat of deportation is not new. 

The 1965 Immigration Act marked a turning point in legislative policies that targeted immigrants, such as creating quotas for Mexican immigrants. Following this Act came the 1986 Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA), which provided amnesty programs and employer sanctions, increasing the number of undocumented immigrants. A few years later, the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRAIRA) of 1996 established devastating policies for immigrants. The IIRAIRA Act called for the increase of border security, restrictions on legal immigration, mandatory detention, stricter conditions on issuing visas and perhaps most notably, the expedited removal and deportation of immigrants. It is important to note that restricting immigration does not stop immigration; it only causes an increase in illegal immigration and makes it less likely for undocumented people to return to their home countries. 

The nations that produce the most migrants are countries that the U.S. has influenced. In particular, Central American and Caribbean countries of origin have a large influx of immigration. For instance, the United States’ intervention in El Salvador included supporting Maximiliano Hernández Martínez– a dictator. Martinez was responsible for ordering the deaths of thousands of his citizens within his first two terms (starting in 1935), and he suspended El Salvador’s Constitution, which then gave him the power to serve a third term without an election. His administration also censored the media, banned political opposition, abolished local elections and rigged national elections. 

When WWII occurred, he joined the Allies to win America’s favor. He further improved his relations with the U.S. during his purge of political dissidents and citizens–labeling them as communists. The U.S. is notorious for their policies against communism and targeting those who they label as “communist,” such as the Black Panthers and Chicano activists. These two common interests initiated the U.S.’s support for Martinez’s dictatorship. This led to a civil war, in which the U.S. doubled down and supplied weapons to the military government to use against leftist rebels and civilians. Naturally, this led to an influx of immigrants to the U.S. who were seeking asylum from the war. 

Another example is in Guatemala, where in 1954 the CIA initiated a coup of the democratically elected President Jacobo Árbenz and installed a military dictatorship. Árbenz’s push for agrarian reform and attempt to expropriate land owned by the U.S.-based United Fruit Company were actions strongly opposed by the U.S. government due to large investments and U.S. loans to the Guatemalan government. Árbenz also had friendly relations with communist organizations. The U.S. took action by calling on the CIA to organize a counterrevolutionary army based in Honduras and El Salvador, discouraging the Guatemalan army from fighting, leading to Árbenz’s resignation in 1954.

Carlos Castillo Armas became president and reversed Árbenz’s reforms, halted communist influence, and discouraged labor union formation with violent tactics. Although he was assassinated three years later, his presidency paved the way for the next nine years of militaristic regimes that suppressed social movements. What followed afterwards was Fidel Castro’s administration in 1959, which brought violence and repression for the next 36 years. This period of instability, due to U.S.-backed authoritarian regimes, once again led to an influx of immigrants to the U.S.

In addition to U.S. intervention, a combination of national disasters and political/economic volatility pushed people to seek asylum in the U.S. These refugees were granted temporary protected status (TPS), and now Central American immigrants arriving at the southern border who want to claim amnesty are forced to remain in Mexico. If these Central American immigrants enter the U.S., they tend to fill the demand for low-wage labor, but their TPS is largely rescinded.

Latino communities in the U.S. became prominent in Los Angeles, most relevant to UCLA. According to the Migration Policy Institute, the U.S. immigrant population by world region of birth between 1960 and 2023, determined that as European immigration decreased, immigration from the Americas and Asia increased– with immigration from the Americas being dominant. Latinos continue to be racialized in the U.S. social hierarchy and are on the flip side of white privilege. Many face anti-immigrant and anti-Latino sentiments. Nowadays, there is less Mexican immigration and more Central American immigration to other places. There is also a significant amount of asylum seekers. 

Trump’s administration hyperfixated on the Southern border, closing the border from day 1 in office. Mainly, his administration is targeting undocumented people; undocumented people who have committed crimes (a stricter standard on immigrants than citizens); immigrants with temporary protected status and visas; immigrants with permanent residency; and non-whites with low status. 

In response to increasing nativist sentiments, there is an outcry for immigration reform.  At UCLA, there have been questions about whether UCLA students should protest. The encampments of last year proved that UCLA students value solidarity when united under a single issue that they are impassioned to take action on. With these new policies under the new administration, many students are determined to voice their opinions to higher institutions.

Students attending UCLA who are children of immigrants or are immigrants themselves are very concerned about the implementation of anti-immigrant policies at the federal and state levels. When asked about Trump’s new policies, such as intending to end birthright citizenship and increase deportations, Samantha Preciado (third-year, Public Affairs major) commented that it created a lot of fear and anxiety for her. It was “a wake-up call,” making her “question people’s morals.” Another student, Jaquelin Trujillo (third-year, Psychology and Linguistics double major), commented that the new policies under Trump were “very, very scary” and that it was “overwhelming to think about the repercussions” regarding the separation of families. Restriction on immigration has led to an increase in the disparity between opinions on immigration: pro-immigrant or nativist. The rise in nativism, a key point in Trump’s administration, reveals that many people believe that the United States should remain “American.” However, what does “American” mean? This new concern for her family and her community has made Samantha Preciado consider pursuing immigration and family law, trying to be a pillar of support for her community. 

UCLA has a long history of protests. During the Chicano Movement, students advocated for the admission of more Chicano students. Their activism led to the creation of Latin organizations such as the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán (MEChA), who also advocated for Chicano Studies. These protests happened at many high schools and colleges throughout California. The gains of the 1960s were an increase in college rates, a foundation of activism on college campuses, and a generation of Chicano leaders. Unfortunately, very little change occurred after the Chicano Movement and the period of civil rights activism. There was still educational inequality and inadequate funding for schools. However, those Chicano leaders had children, and their children are now protesting these immigration policies. If protesting does not work, then what will? 

Many students at UCLA have been pondering the best way to oppose anti-immigration policies. Some student groups, such as IDEAS at UCLA and USAC, propose legislative protests. In particular, there has been a push to oppose California State Legislature bill AB 85, which requires law enforcement to cooperate with immigration authorities through detainment. This piece of legislation goes against current law, the California Values Act, which limits law enforcement from working with federal immigration forces such as ICE and CBP. These student groups ask the greater Bruin community to submit a letter of opposition to the chair of the assembly’s public safety committee. 

Pro-immigrant student advocates, in addition, have called for UCLA to become a sanctuary campus. This form of advocating for immigrants’ rights has proven to be very effective in uniting students in a way that provides both solidarity. Student groups like IDEAS at UCLA also host resource-related events to assist students who may be affected by a heightened ICE presence in their communities and stricter regulations on undocumented people residing in the U.S. They foster unity through teaching about immigration issues and sharing anecdotes from those affected to promote community empowerment. 

Students are responsible for being the most educated in society and applying what they’ve learned at their respective institutions to the world. Student advocacy groups are crucial for students to voice issues important to them and their communities. These groups are opportunities to meet like-minded peers and take action on issues. Getting involved in advocacy organizations, practicing activism and spreading awareness are key ways to effect change in the world. 

The world doesn’t need more progress. We’ve made enough progress. Writer and activist James Baldwin said, “You always told me, ‘It takes time.’ It’s taken my father’s time, my mother’s time, my uncle’s time, my brothers’ time and my sisters’ time. How much time do you want for your progress?” To whoever might be reading this, you are able to effect change in your life. You have the power to organize, to find others who feel the same as you and to use your voice.