Students at the University of North Dakota have shared their varied opinions on immigration issues, especially in light of President Trump’s focus on border security and the recent deployment of the National Guard to key cities. This dialogue took place ahead of Turning Point USA’s “This is the Turning Point” tour on their campus.
One student, Kinley, voiced support for the National Guard’s presence, stating, “I think it’s a good idea as long as they’re doing their job and keeping the city safe. I think it’s a great idea to keep everyone safe.”
Brett, another student, found the deployment somewhat divisive, suggesting it could attract both praise and criticism. Meanwhile, a different student noted the need for such action, recalling a recent trip home through Minneapolis that he found concerning.
Another perspective came from a student who supported Trump’s actions, attributing high crime and insecurity in some Democrat-led cities to their governance.
In August, the Pentagon announced plans to mobilize up to 1,700 National Guard troops across 19 states to assist the Department of Homeland Security in addressing illegal immigration and crime. However, some states have chosen to delay this plan.
While many students in border states backed Trump’s initiatives to enhance border security, others presented more nuanced opinions about how to tackle illegal immigration more broadly. For instance, Cooper remarked, “Illegal is illegal,” but emphasized the need to treat those in the country unlawfully with fairness.
Abiy also praised the Trump administration’s approach, suggesting improvements compared to previous efforts. Zack underscored the importance of a thorough vetting process to ensure no national security risks arise from immigrants, noting, “Refugees, etc… we don’t want them to be trapped in a situation like a war, but we certainly want a proper vetting process because it’s not like we’re letting the bad guys in.”
Easton shared concerns about ICE operations, indicating they might be overreaching in some instances. Brandon expressed that while Trump has made commendable strides in handling illegal immigration, there are still ways to better accommodate public concern.
Kinley also noted improvements in immigration responses since Trump’s administration, stating, “Better than what the Biden administration did. I think there’s still work to be done, but it’s obviously difficult to do. So I think Trump is doing a really good job.” He further added that illegal immigration poses significant challenges, suggesting that Trump is effectively addressing these issues.
Zak reiterated the need for proper vetting, emphasizing compassion while ensuring safety. A judge recently ruled to keep the National Guard in Illinois to combat crime, but limited their ability to patrol or protect federal properties, after a request from the Trump administration for an emergency stay was made following the judge’s initial ruling against their deployment in Chicago.
