LaGuardia Community College marked the opening of its Office of Immigrant Student Empowerment this week, a new initiative designed to support immigrant and immigration-impacted students navigating heightened federal enforcement concerns. The office, which began serving students in the spring, represents the first of its kind within the City University of New York’s community college system and was established with backing from the Carroll and Milton Petrie Foundation.
The college has connected eligible students with legal resources, financial assistance, academic support and community-based services through collaborations with CUNY Citizenship Now!, student advocacy committees and partner organizations. Additional support includes access to scholarships, experiential learning stipends and emergency assistance through the Friedman Fund for new New Yorkers and LaGuardia CARES programs. College administrators noted that the initiative addresses barriers students face both inside and outside the classroom, as some have become reluctant to attend classes in person and others have requested online course options due to fears related to current enforcement actions.
The office’s establishment comes amid significant policy challenges affecting undocumented college students nationwide. The Trump administration has challenged state policies providing in-state tuition eligibility to undocumented students, resulting in over 120,000 undocumented college students losing access to in-state rates following federal lawsuits in multiple states. Additional concerns have centered on immigration enforcement activities on college campuses, including a February incident at Columbia University where federal agents detained a student in a residential building.
Staff at the office have prioritized providing legal assistance, recognizing that students’ immigration status directly affects their ability to remain enrolled and qualify for tuition benefits. The office has already served more than 70 students and aims to foster community and belonging among immigrant student populations. College leaders have emphasized the importance of colleges working collaboratively to support these students while maintaining careful protocols regarding information access and referral procedures to appropriate resources.
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