A protest at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) recently brought together students, faculty, and community members in response to the revocation of visas for several international students. Organized by the Party for Socialism and Liberation and Youth Revolutionary Front, the demonstration aimed to oppose the Trump administration’s actions on college campuses, particularly concerning deportations.
Protesters carried signs advocating for education over deportation and emphasized unity across different racial and ethnic groups. Raymond Behnke, a UNLV junior, highlighted the broader implications of the movement, emphasizing solidarity with workers and undocumented families. The protest underscored the importance of standing against the stripping away of due process rights.
UNLV disclosed that seven of its students had their visas revoked without prior notification, discovered through manual checks. Lindsey Gruber, representing UNLV Global, assured continued support for affected students, even after their departure from the U.S.
Senator Jacky Rosen, along with other senators, criticized the Trump administration’s approach, which they believe misuses antisemitism as a pretext to target educational institutions.
Participants like Stephanie Gentry, a College of Southern Nevada student, expressed their commitment to resisting these actions, emphasizing the importance of speaking up regardless of personal risk. Greg Clark, a UNLV alumnus, questioned how many more students might face deportation before broader action is taken, highlighting the financial and emotional toll on students.
The protest also featured calls from faculty members like Professor Ben Leffel, who urged colleagues to support undocumented students and counteract the negative impacts of federal funding cuts on university research. The gathering called for collective action and solidarity in challenging these policies.