Challenges Faced by Non-Citizen Educators Under New Trump-Era Immigration Policies

Upon her arrival in the United States on a student visa for postgraduate studies, Evelyn looked forward to an encouraging academic atmosphere that would foster her interests in research and instruction. Hailing from Venezuela, she now works at a prominent East Coast institution under an assumed name due to her precarious status. In 2021, she acquired Temporary Protected Status (TPS), only to face uncertainty with the Biden administration's unexpected termination of the program for Venezuelans. This change has triggered trepidation among numerous non-citizen educators. Although her institution is willing to sponsor her work visa, Evelyn grapples with the unsettling prospect of uprooting her life: "Should I prepare to depart?" In light of these difficulties, figures like Sara Lopez Amezquita stress the importance of immigrant narratives in education, fostering a more compassionate teaching environment.