On the evening of Mar. 7, Oakland clubs and organizations hosted a panel discussion on immigration in the Trump era. This group of organizations included Creating American & International Relationships (CAIR), International Allies Organization, Pre-Law Club, Pi Sigma Alpha and the Internal Employee Resource Group.
Panelists were asked a variety of questions regarding their opinions and thoughts on the current state of immigration, along with the future of immigration during President Trump’s second term.
The event was moderated by Natali Salaytah, an OU graduate student and student assistant to The International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO). The panelists included Dr. Peter F. Trumbore, an OU Professor and Chair of the Department of Political Science, Dr. Cody Eldredge, an Associate Professor of Political Science at OU, Setareh Ghoreishi, an Assistant Professor of Graphic Design at OU who was born and raised in Tehran, Iran, Luke Bowman, a certified Immigration Lawyer with over 14 years of experience, and Rosemary Max, the Executive Director of Global Engagement, and OU’s Senior International officer. All panelists participated in an open and engaging conversation, sharing their expertise and experiences.
Salaytah began the event by providing context about President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his fireside chats. These were a series of 31 evening radio addresses during which families could gather together and listen to the broadcast that took place during the Great Depression.
“These talks — known as fireside chats — were meant to break down complex issues in a clear and approachable way, creating a sense of connection and understanding during uncertain times, and that’s exactly the spirit of tonight’s event,” Salaytah said.
The discussion began in the spirit of the event title, posing panelists with the question, “What does immigration in the Trump era mean to you?”
“I think it’s important to understand that Trump’s views and the views around Trump are not out of the historical mainstream when it comes to the way Americans think about immigration, they are being expressed in a way that we haven’t seen in a long time,” Trumbore said.
“Hating on immigrant communities is a unique American pastime … I think there is a veneer of hostility that’s animated by racial, religious, cultural animus that we haven’t seen in past iterations of this dynamic,” Eldredge said.
Max was asked, “How do shifts in U.S. immigration policy impact international education and the ability of students to work or study here?”
“During this time of year, we have students who come in, and they’re often saying how can I talk to my employer about my ability to work?” Max said. “The fact of trying to get hired in a situation where nobody knows, which is already complicated, but now people aren’t sure which direction we’re going in.”
To follow up, Ghoreishi was then asked about how the U.S. immigration policy shaped her personal journey, and what advice she would offer to someone who may be navigating a similar path.
“You are not alone … depend on your skills and talent, show yourself in the best way,” she said.
Bowman emphasized the importance of being allies and advocates for international students.
“Grow for the people around you. You’re making it better for yourself and for everyone you come in contact with … you cannot kill resilience, that is one thing that is timeless and exists from the history of this nation, no matter the response cannot kill it,” he said.
The discussion later transitioned to audience questions, cultivating a collaborative atmosphere, where panelists addressed the audience. In all the event was a success, leaving attendees with valuable insights.
