Maitreya Badami, an associate professor at Chico State, talked during an Oct. 25 panel presentation about the fear that is affecting student life on campus.
“There definitely is an atmosphere of fear among our Latino students, whether they are citizens or non-citizens,” said Badami, an associate professor in the political science and criminal justice department. “They’re not participating in activities that they would otherwise. I am talking to citizens and folks with green cards, lawful permanent residents, not to mention our DACA students who have this temporary protection that could be gone at any moment. They’re terrified.”
DACA status refers to people who have temporary protection under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Immigrants with legal status can become vulnerable in the crackdown underway because of past convictions, political activity or for other reasons.