The Multicultural Center hosted a student organized event to discuss U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement and student concerns about ICE on campus on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025.
The Undocumented Students and Allies Association, Together for Ladies of Color and the Latine Student Union held a presentation asking students to share their concerns about the increased ICE presence in the Bay Area and what they believe Santa Clara University should do to ensure students feel safe on campus.
The event addressed the University’s meeting with Santa Clara University faculty regarding protocols and communication about ICE activity in the Bay Area—a meeting that students were not officially informed about. Students were also informed about ICE parameters, including that while the University’s campus is open to the public, classrooms are considered private spaces and therefore cannot be entered by anyone other than faculty and students.
The event also included a conversation with Eliana Ortega ’27, a member of TLC and a Multicultural Center representative. She discussed how Día de los Muertos ties into the topic of ICE enforcement and opened the question of whether the University is doing enough to support Latino/a students. The event also highlighted the Mexican tradition of Día de los Muertos and offered crafts for students to participate in.
Key Takeaways for Santa Clara University Students
The Día de Solidaridad event highlighted the growing sense of insecurity among students, and how schools—once considered a “safe” space—have increasingly become targets for ICE enforcement.
Speakers also discussed the case of Marcelo Gomes da Silva, a high school student who was arrested during volleyball practice despite having a valid student visa. His story gained national attention, and he later spoke about the environment that he was detained in and its deplorable conditions.
“I think it is important to highlight the Latino community as a whole. That we are here on campus and that we are being affected by these policies coming around,” said Ortega. “Not only do we have the stressors of school itself, but we also have outside stressors—political stressors—that are out of our hands; that we are here, we’re on campus, we’re loud and we’re proud, and that we need some help.”
“We’re calling upon our community,” Ortega said. “We’d love to see more people here at the event, not just people that are being affected, but others who are not being affected and have the privilege of not being affected to really come out with support.”
How does Día de los Muertos tie into this situation?
The celebration incorporated one of the community’s favorite cultural traditions: Día de los Muertos, a time when those who have died are honored through food, dancing, music and art. The increased ICE enforcement presence in the Bay Area during a period of significance to Latino communities has been controversial. Organizers were asked how they connect the celebration of Día de los Muertos with the topic of ICE enforcement.
“There have been lives that have been lost in the process of detainment,” said Ortega. “In the Latino community, where we already pride ourselves on family and community, having family members and that community ripped away—not here and present while celebrating this holiday meant to bring everyone together—makes it hard.”
Does the community believe Santa Clara is doing its best?
If it weren’t for daily news and social media updates, students likely would not have known about ICE enforcement in San Francisco, and students like Eliana Ortega were certainly unaware of Santa Clara University’s meeting with faculty members regarding the situation.
“I think could be more vocal about where they stand,” Ortega said. “Emails were sent to staff, but students weren’t notified of what staff was doing—it’s hard to feel safe in a place that’s not vocalizing whether or not it is a safer place.”
“Again, I don’t think it’s enough, and I think there is more to be done.”
Cielito Lindo
These groups and their community members believe that the University must stand together for current and future generations and that remaining silent is no longer an option.
The event highlighted that while Santa Clara University has become a home for many and fosters a diverse environment, students also need to feel protected in that space. Organizers like Ortega emphasized that students and families should be informed about safety protocols and be reassured that they are secure.
Organizers also noted that these efforts extend into cultural events—during occasions like Día de los Muertos, the community honors loved ones who have passed while promoting solidarity and awareness, often through expressions such as the Mexican song “Cielito Lindo,” which represents love, culture and unity.
