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June 4, 2026, 8:27 a.m.

President Trump's mass deportation campaign takes toll on college campuses

SUMMARY

For years, researchers and advocates have documented the barriers students from immigrant families face when pursuing higher education. But the Trump administration’s mass deportation campaign has introduced new challenges and fears, even for many immigrants who are legally in the United States. Special correspondent Fred de Sam Lazaro reports from Minnesota for our series Rethinking College.

View the transcript of the story.

NOTE: If you are short on time, watch the video and complete this See, Think, Wonder activity: What did you notice? What did the story make you think about? What would you want to learn more about?

News alternative: Check out recent segments from the News Hour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.

WARM-UP QUESTIONS

  1. Where does this segment focus its attention?
  2. When did federal immigration agents "surge" in Minneapolis, and what was the operation called?
  3. How did the surge affect students on the Augsburg University campus?
  4. Why has Minnesota Representative Isaac Schultz introduced legislation to prevent state financial aid from going to undocumented students?
  5. Who is driving enrollment growth in colleges, according to Corinne Kentor?

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS

  • Based on the interviews conducted in this segment, how do you think immigration actions from the Trump administration are going to impact colleges and universities around the country?
  • What do you think will be the long-term impact of this immigration enforcement on colleges even after President Trump leaves office?

Media literacy: Why do you think this segment focuses mostly on Minneapolis for its interviews and reporting?

WHAT STUDENTS CAN DO

In this segment, Minnesota Representative Isaac Schultz says that financial aid to undocumented immigrants takes away aid from students with "legal status." But what does that mean when fewer immigrants are admitted into the United States for study, work or because of refugee status? Watch the following segment and then discuss —

  • How do you think colleges and universities will be impact if all immigrants, including those with legal documents, are pushed out of the United States or not admitted?
  • What other segments of the economy or society will be most impacted by reduction in legal immigration?

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