Thread: Cal State Northridge students protest US Border Patrol recruiters on campus

by Adolfo Guzman-Lopez an hour ago


Students and faculty protest U.S. Border Patrol recruiters at Cal State Northridge. ADOLFO GUZMAN-LOPEZ/KPCC

Dozens California State University, Northridge (CSUN) students and professors protested outside a campus job fair on Wednesday because U.S. Customs and Border Protection recruiters were inside talking to job seekers.

“A lot of migrants cross across that border and a lot of them die," said Chicana and Chicano studies major Raquel Cetz. "If it’s affecting a community and affecting your students, why let them come onto campus at all?"

She and other protestors said the presence of recruiters for the agency that runs the Border Patrol contradicts a message sent by university officials earlier this academic year. Officials at this campus and systemwide told students and staff that undocumented students would be protected from harsh immigration policies enforced by the Trump Administration.

“There’s a question of morality,” said CSUN Professor Rodolfo Acuña as he watched the protest.

“I don’t think the CIA should be allowed to recruit here on campus, I don’t think that the Los Angeles Police Department should be allowed to recruit on campus. What is their purpose? What is their relationship with those communities? It’s mainly antagonistic.”

The job fair brought 54 non-profit and public agencies to a large meeting room in the student union, about 20 yards away from a new student center devoted to help CSUN’s approximately 1,400 undocumented students.

“As a university, we cannot deny this particular agency from participating in the career fair,” said Shelley Ruelas-Bischoff, CSUN’s Associate Vice President for Student Life.

“We cannot say, because we dislike their political agenda or whatever work that they’re doing, that they’re not allowed to be here.”

Inside the job fair, two U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents talked to people from behind a table with water bottles and pens with the the Border Patrol logo. Agents said they've talked to people about the benefits of joining the agency.

“A lot of them are looking for a law enforcement career, some are looking to serve their country, some are veterans looking to continue to serve their country,” said Agent Tony Morretta.

Outside, students and faculty, mostly of Mexican and Central American descent chanted, “Separating families is not a career.”

“A lot of my family was deported, about a decade ago,” said biology major Daniel Avena.

He said knowing the Border Patrol is recruiting on campus brings back memories of a U.S.-born cousin who was taken to Mexico with her deported relatives.

“Whatever happens politically will happen and we will protect our students but at the same time we do have people who have an interest in serving in many different careers,” said Dwayne Cantrell, CSUN’s Associate Vice President for Student Access and Support Services and Student Affairs

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is expected to be back on this campus next week for another job fair..

http://www.scpr.org/news/2017/03/29/...-u-s-border-p/

"“A lot of migrants cross across that border and a lot of them die," said Chicana and Chicano studies major Raquel Cetz."

What type of degree is that and how useful will it be when it comes to job hunting.

"The job fair brought 54 non-profit and public agencies to a large meeting room in the student union, about 20 yards away from a new student center devoted to help CSUN’s approximately 1,400 undocumented students."

Wow 1,400. I didn't realize there would be that many. That's 1,400 seats Americans could have. If they're illegal, they shouldn't be here. I can imagine all the American citizens they will be producing in the future. Slowly taking over.

Glad to see the BP actively recruiting.

Originally Posted by Scott-in-FL

"“A lot of migrants cross across that border and a lot of them die," said Chicana and Chicano studies major Raquel Cetz."

What type of degree is that and how useful will it be when it comes to job hunting.

"The job fair brought 54 non-profit and public agencies to a large meeting room in the student union, about 20 yards away from a new student center devoted to help CSUN’s approximately 1,400 undocumented students."

Wow 1,400. I didn't realize there would be that many. That's 1,400 seats Americans could have. If they're illegal, they shouldn't be here. I can imagine all the American citizens they will be producing in the future. Slowly taking over.

That many doesn't surprise me and all probably going on our tax dollars while our kids can't get to college or graduate mired in debt for decades.

Yes, we have a huge amount of 'studies' in our colleges that produce graduates unprepared to do any work - other than go into politics or protest and demand.

We have to do something -