Park University international student Samir Suja doesn’t like to leave downtown Kansas City. He takes an Uber to school to avoid potentially devastating encounters with police.
“For most people immigration might be an ‘issue’ but this is my life” he said.
And he is not alone. Park University has championed diversity and inclusion on the campus and, as such, welcomes many international students each year who may share Suja’s experiences and outlook. The political discussions around immigration and travel bans are personal.
Ikem Eriobuna is in his third semester at Park and worked in the Office of International Students as President Trump announced a travel ban earlier this year.
“I was worried I would not be able to come and go,” he said.
As it happened, his home country of Nigeria was not on the list of restricted countries. That fact did little to help him this past summer, however. When returning with his girlfriend from a trip to South Padre, Texas, Eriobuna was stopped outside Waco, Texas. After telling the officer who he was, he confidently handed over his state-issued Missouri ID. His girlfriend offered her ID as well but was told “you’re fine,” Eriobuna recounted.
Eriobuna was asked to step out of the car, patted down, and taken into custody.
The officer informed him he should always have his papers on him, denoting his status as an international student. As it happened, it was Friday evening and Eriobuna was able to contact Park University International Student Advisor, Bruce Hull.
“It had to be a fax, not an email,” he recalled. “We will do everything for a student up to law enforcement physically telling us to stop.” he said.
The ordeal lasted about two hours, a visibly upset Eriobuna recalls. “If they (Park employees in the International Student Office) had not been here I would’ve been detained,” he said.
Hull, Eriobuna and the rest of the International Student Office help advise and facilitate Park’s 245 international students with even more in the Optimal Practical Training Program.
“They will work with you; they will help you by any means they can,” said Eriobuna.
“If you can think of a situation for a nonimmigrant, it’s probably come across our desk,” said Hull.
Like many things in government, immigration policy changes take time. Even the executive-ordered travel ban has had injunctions raised against it.
“What has changed is the unease, the level of concern,” said Hull.
He recalls a student from Yemen, one of the countries that was included in the travel ban, who left after a semester at school.
“There are universities in Europe. Why would I go someplace that doesn’t want me?” Hull recalled that the student said. Another international student, who was also a lesbian, came to Hull and asked, “Do I need to leave now?” He said it can be difficult to give solid answers or reassurance to these questions.
“When homeland security makes a decision they don’t really have to give you an explanation,” said Hull.
Eriobuna noted the constant stress: “Do everything right; you cannot slack or forget to check your status. I can work twenty hours a week, never twenty and a half.” He said he feels illegal even though he knows he’s not. However, this feeling is sometimes remedied. He’s received emails from the President of the university reminding him and his fellow students they’re “one of us.”
“The president has been extremely active in his belief in global citizenship. We’re not the necessary evil; we’re treated as valued by the president and faculty,” said Hull.
On his desk sits a mirror. Written on it is the “Alternate Roots” lyric: “Heroes don’t look like they used to, they look like you do.” For Hull, Park’s slogan of “One Family” is more than just words.
“From recruitment to graduation and beyond; we’re here ‘til we’re done.” he said.