The article discusses the experiences and concerns of Kazue Harada, an associate professor at Miami University who is originally from Japan and is not a U.S. citizen. Despite her academic position, Harada faces significant challenges related to her immigration status, including the inability to vote, apply for certain grants, or be secure from deportation.
Harada has chosen not to pursue U.S. citizenship due to Japan’s prohibition on dual citizenship and her desire to remain connected to her family. She expresses anxiety about potential ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) actions on campus and the implications for her and her students. The university’s administration has shared limited information regarding what to do if ICE agents were to request information about international students.
The article highlights a general climate of fear among faculty regarding expressing their concerns openly, particularly about the treatment of international students and faculty members. Harada, along with other groups, has engaged in protests to raise awareness about funding shortfalls and the threat posed by immigration enforcement on campus, advocating for more institutional support for international faculty and students.
The implications of the Trump administration’s immigration policies, including visa revocations and travel bans, are also discussed, revealing broader anxieties within the university community. Some administrators acknowledge these issues but downplay their significance, stating that they have not heard of ICE activity on campus.
Overall, Harada’s experiences reflect a complex interplay of immigration status, institutional support, and the social climate impacting international faculty and students in U.S. higher education.
