With President Donald Trump’s administration crack-down on immigration, immigrant students are building connections and community within on-campus clubs and cohorts.
As federal immigration enforcement intensifies nationally, American University’s chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens provides a space for Latin American students to come together.
“We try to encapsulate the whole Latino community, not just your origin, ethnicity or language barrier,” said Jacob Alejandro, LULAC’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusivity director.
Especially now, Alejandro said LULAC prioritizes community care. Following the spotting of Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers near campus in December 2025, LULAC reached out to members with resources and support.
“If they’re feeling unsafe, they feel unwelcome, or they just need a space to have community or express their culture,” Alejandro said. “LULAC is a very good place.”
The Asian American Student Union is one of AU’s largest cultural clubs. AASU President Reet Goraya said its “Big and Little” program is one way it reinforces community.
Incoming AASU members are paired with an existing member and become a part of their family. Goraya, now a junior, said she is still close to her big.
Goraya said she will always remember when her friends realized they were from the same small corner of China, a reminder of how community and representation shape the club’s values and traditions
“Seeing them connect with one another like that, it’s a really beautiful sight,” Goraya said.
Other clubs cultivate community by strengthening alumni relationships.
The Southeast Asia Student Network ensures connections remain post-graduation. Co-President Tina Dao said they choose fundraising organizations based on personal connections, either those that have helped e-board members directly or where alumni are now working.
“It’s something we do very intentionally, because these people are really important, and they wouldn’t be where they are without those organizational supports,” Dao said.
For Freshman Israel Lopez-Garcia, housing is where he found community.
As of this year, the University offers first-generation housing to incoming freshmen. Lopez-Garcia said this helped him transition into an environment new to him, and by extension, his family.
“My parents are also growing up with me here; we bounced off each other when it came to learning new things,” Lopez-Garcia said.
Lopez-Garcia said surrounding himself with people who understand his experiences helped him feel comfortable.
“It was better [for me] to be around a community where people relate to you, or you can relate to as well,” Lopez-Garcia said.
Club leaders Alejandro, Dao, and Goraya all offered similar advice to students seeking community on campus.
“Community is there, it’s always going to be there if you look for it,” Goraya said. “Sometimes you have to put the first step forward.”
This article was edited by Natalie Hausmann, Payton Anderson and Walker Whalen. Copy editing by Avery Grossman, Mattie Lupo and Ava Stuzin. Fact-checking by Luca Palma Poth.
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