At Stanford, students in HUMRTS 108, led by lecturer Vivian Brates, are immersing themselves in immigration issues, driven by their own experiences with fear and uncertainty. For Samantha Heredia ’27, her upbringing in a family of mixed legal statuses opened her eyes to the challenges faced by immigrants, inspiring her to work on a national hotline operated by Freedom for Immigrants. Through this hotline, students help provide vital resources and support for detainees navigating the complex immigration system.
According to ICE, over 39,000 immigrants are detained daily for various reasons, with the average detention lasting over a month. With the new administration’s policies pushing for increased detentions, the hotline’s demand for assistance has risen. Amanda Diaz, organizing director at Freedom for Immigrants, emphasizes the students’ invaluable role in expanding the hotline’s operations from three to five days a week, enabling increased support for detained individuals.
Despite the frustrations of sometimes feeling powerless, the students find purpose in each call they answer. Sharing their experiences, Heredia recalls a moment of hope when she assisted a woman desperate for legal help, illustrating the profound impact even small gestures can have. Brates encourages students to recognize the importance of empathy, as listening and validating experiences can make a significant difference.
Students are not only gaining insight into immigration but also discovering interconnectedness among struggles across different regions. Heredia reflects on her learning journey, noting the diversity of callers from various parts of the world, which has broadened her understanding of the immigrant experience. Inspired by their coursework, several students remain active volunteers, choosing to continue supporting immigrant rights beyond their studies.
Many students, including Heredia, express that the class feels like a unique opportunity to effect change, marking their importance in the fight for immigrant rights. Heredia concludes, “I think it’s been a very, very valuable experience. This is the one class [where] I feel I’m making a difference.”
Stanford students in HUMRTS 108 are staffing a hotline for detained immigrants, driven by personal experiences with immigration challenges. Taught by Vivian Brates, the course enables students to provide essential resources and document abuse within detention facilities. Inspired by their direct involvement, students are discovering the interconnectedness of immigrant struggles and continue advocating for change even after the course ends.
The students in the HUMRTS 108 course at Stanford are engaging deeply with immigration issues, utilizing a hotline to support detained individuals. Experiences shared by students like Samantha Heredia highlight the emotional weight of their work and the transformative power of even small acts of assistance. The course not only educates students about immigration struggles but inspires lifelong advocacy, showcasing the critical role of empathy and support.
Original Source: stanforddaily.com
