IN THE 1970s, students at my alma mater, Minnesota State University, Mankato, protested the Vietnam War. Today MSU students are protesting the detainment of an international student and the revocation of visas for five others who attend this southern Minnesota college where I studied journalism.
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has also detained a student from Riverland Community College in Austin, Minnesota, and from the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities. Other international students from colleges across the state have also had their visas revoked. The same is happening at college campuses throughout the country. Students snatched off the street, from their apartments, by ICE. Pffff, gone, just like that with no explanation and no initial access to their friends, families and legal assistance. This does not sound like the United States of America I’ve called home my entire life.
I’m not privy to specifics on why particular international students were targeted. But I have read and heard enough reliable media reports to recognize that these are likely not individuals committing terrible crimes, if any crime. In most cases they have done nothing more than voice their opinions whether at a protest or via social media. College campuses have always been a place for students to speak up, to exercise freedom of speech, to be heard. To protest.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has labeled students with revoked visas as “lunatics.” Really? Name-calling doesn’t impress me. Nor do actions to intimidate, instill fear and silence voices.
I’m grateful that student journalists at The Reporter, the Mankato State student newspaper where I worked while in college, are aggressively covering this issue. In particular, I reference the article “SCARED TO LEAVE MY HOUSE’—Mavericks react to ICE-detained student, what’s being done by Emma Johnson. She interviews international students who, for their own protection, chose to remain anonymous. It’s chilling to read their words. Words of fear. Words of disbelief and disappointment in a country where they once felt safe and free. The place where they chose to pursue their education, jumping through all the necessary legal hoops to do so. And now they fear speaking up and are asking their American classmates and others to do so for them. So I am.
MSU students, staff and community members have rallied to support their international community and to voice their opposition to ICE’s action. In neighboring Albert Lea, where the MSU student is being held in the Freeborn County Jail, a crowd gathered on Thursday to protest ICE action against international students. Of course, not everyone agrees with the protesters and it is their choice to disagree. They can. They are not international students here on visas.
I should note that the sheriffs in Freeborn County and four other Minnesota counties—Cass, Crow Wing, Itasca and Jackson—this week signed agreements to cooperate with ICE.
These are troubling times. In my life-time, this has always been a nation where we’ve been able to freely express ourselves, where that freedom has been valued. We can agree to disagree. Respectfully. Without name-calling. Without the fear of suppression, retaliation and/or imprisonment. But I see that changing. Daily. And that, my friends, is cause for deep concern.
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NOTE: I welcome respectful conversation. That said, this is my personal blog and I moderate and screen all comments.
© Copyright 2025 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
it is cause for grave concern. There is so much fear amongst our students and our immigrant friends. I am in Australia now. But on advice I must consider deleting my social media accounts before re-entering the USA. They will not hesitate to disappear a person on a green card either. So I too feel the fear.
I am so sorry, Cecilia. I will always welcome you here. Be safe. Be strong. Know that you are loved, appreciated and valued, as are our international students and immigrants (by me and many many others).
Thank you. Maybe I should carry references from my American friends in my handbag!
Now there’s an idea…if only those references would mean anything to “them.”
it is really tearing at my heart. it really struck me when we were protesting on April 5th in downtown Detroit right by Wayne State University, where I went for undergrad, and the scene of many protests dating back to the 60s. I turned to a fellow protester to ask, “where are all the students? why aren’t they joining us?’ and then it hit me. hard.
Your reaction is telling. This is what it has come to…that our students feel they cannot protest. You saw that. You felt that. You get that. Thank you for sharing your observations, your feelings, your thoughts here. Your words hit me. Hard. They are powerful. Thank you for protesting in Detroit and for using your voice then and now.
When we came back from Mexico a month or so ago, the US border person wasn’t particularly welcoming but they didn’t ask us any questions either. Now I’m beginning to wonder – for the first time in my life – whether we could have been questioned and whether my social media posts could be held against us. I guess we’ll see what happens when we try to come back from a week in Canada next month. That this is even an issue beggars belief! 😟
I hear ya. It’s all so disconcerting. Be well, my friend, and let your voice be heard.
I don’t know how these government employees sleep at night.
That’s a good question. How do they sleep?
This is so frightening. I read the article co-authored by Rumeysa Ozturk, the Turkish doctoral student at Tufts University. It shocks me that what she co-authored is considered illegal and something that can get you deported?!! I can’t imagine the fear anyone who has any slight disagreement with the current ruling party, is feeling, especially if they aren’t the ‘right’ color, gender, religion, country of origin…
I have not read her article. But, yes, it is beyond frightening what is happening right now. Stand strong and let your voice be heard, dear Rose.
There is a lot that I do not understand — I think we are becoming more and more aware of things because of people that are willing and feel empowered to speak out for their truths. I know I am often uninformed on things that I should be more informed about so I am trying to find credible sources for information .
It’s especially important right now to be an informed citizenry in this country given all that is happening. And, yes, credible sources are vital for accurate information.