Student rights in question amid visa flap
By Anahi Herrera Villanueva STAFF WRITER
With growing uncertainty surrounding the visa revocations international students are facing across the United States, including San José State students, it is vital to understand their rights.
Under President Donald J. Trump administration, visa revocation has increased, raising confusion and academic concerns for international students, according to an April 8, Inside Higher Ed article.
Lizzie Barrera, a third-year entrepreneurship student, said her initial reaction was when hearing about international student visas being removed.
“I’m just a little confused as to why it’s happening. I feel like it's more unfair than anything, there’s a stereotype that people come here like immigrants come here just to steal, but they’re here getting an education,” Barrera said.
The Trump administration’s recent policy changes have resulted in the revocation of visas for international students across the United States. Over 4,700 international students have lost their visa status with three more students being affected in the West Coast, according to an article by
The Guardian published on Friday.
A student who wished to remain anonymous said they are concerned about the increase they have seen regarding the removal of international students.
On Monday, SJSU Muslim Student Association along with the California Council on AmericanIslamic Relations (CAIR) and Manara West held a presentation “Crisis response protecting yourself
resources on what to do if they are approached by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent (ICE).
“If you’re approached for whatever reason by law enforcement, you have the right to remain silent,”
Louisiana for a remote hearing, according an April 11, AP News Article. “There is a main narrative that those getting their visas revoked are mostly pro-Palestinian, anti genocide or Israel.
The students that have
students in attendance were encouraged to carry a red card with guidelines of what to say if encountered by an ICE agent as well as a flyer of what to do and what not to do during an encounter. Red cards were created by the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, to help individuals assert their rights and protections under the U.S. Constitution, according to the center’s website.
Just like many people, I was shocked to see the amount of people who have been affected. We as students want to feel safe and right now it’s more of ‘are we going to be safe?’
Anonymous SJSU student
“Just like many people, I was shocked to see the amount of people who have been affected. We as students want to feel safe and right now it’s more of ‘are we going to be safe?’ ” the student said. In California alone, federal officials have terminated at least 121 student visas, according to a Wednesday article San Francisco Chronicle Article. At SJSU, 13 international students have had their visa removed, according to an April 9 Spartan Daily article.
& knowing your rights” to provide advice to those in attendance, according to a Friday Instagram post.
The council is the largest group of advocacy for Muslim civil rights that are committed to broadening the understanding of Islam, protection of civil rights, promoting justice and empowering Muslim Americans, according to CAIR California webpage.
Presented by Hasna El-Nounou, the senior programs manager for Manara West, gave students
El-Nounou said. Regardless of a student's status in this country, all individuals have the basic rights such as freedom of speech, freedom to assemble and a guarantee to “due process”, according to Indiana University’s International Student Rights.
However, in the case of Mahmoud Khalil, it raises several questions on if these basic rights will be upheld. Khalil is a Columbia University graduate who was detained by ICE and then transported to central
been involved in any terms of activism from what we have seen have been identified through an arrest during a demonstration,” El-Nounou said.
Khalil is eligible for deportation from the United States, according to the same AP News article.
The Supreme Court has ruled that people do have the right to challenge the Alien Enemies Act and technically should be given time before they are deported, according to a Thursday, NBC article.
During the presentation,
“If detained, or arrested, clearly say, ‘I am invoking my right to remain silent and I want a lawyer’ if you are planning on attending a protest try not to discuss protest plans or immigration status to new individuals,” El-Nounou said.
For SJSU students several sources are available on campus and off campus.
International Student and Scholar Services provides students with the F-1 visa and J-1 exchange students with resources to support them during the day, according to its webpage.
Although these resources are available through websites not a lot of students are aware of these resources that the school provides.
“I just feel like there’s nothing being provided for them and if there is not a lot of students know about it,” Barrera said.
INFOGRAPHIC BY ANAHI HERRERA VILLANUEVA, PHOTOS FROM FLICKR AND CANVA
SJSU ushers in new Spartans
By Israel Archie SENIOR STAFF WRITER
Thousands of future San José State students roamed the campus on Saturday to see what the university had to offer on Admitted Spartan Day.
The day included various activities such as campus and housing tours, workshops and open houses from different departments of the university.
Allison Abueisa, a thirdyear psychology transfer student, expressed her enjoyment of being able to browse around campus and see its different clubs and organizations.
“(This day) has been really good,” Abueisa said. “I feel like there’s
a lot of clubs out. I’ve been meeting a lot of cool people and learning a lot about what San José State has to offer.”
The university has over 350 recognized clubs and organizations, according to a university webpage. Abueisa said she was interested in joining a sorority next semester.
“I think I’m mainly interested in rushing next semester, so sororities definitely interest me,” Abueisa said.
One of the clubs advertising on campus on Saturday was the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) at SJSU.
The club had a table set up on 7th Street, informing incoming Spartans about what the organization entails.
Yaser Osman, firstyear civil engineering student and club member was picked by the club to give his pitch to the prospective students in attendance.
“I think I was mainly picked for this because I am a freshman,” Osman said. “They thought I had a better connection to reach out and talk to students. I really took initiative this year and want other freshmen to come and so far it’s been great.”
The ASCE is the nation’s oldest engineering society and comprises over 150,000 members across 177 countries, according to an SJSU webpage.
The club offers
resources for future civil engineers including hands-on experience with real-world projects, workshops and professional development through networking.
Osman attended Admitted Spartan Day in 2024 and talked to the society members when they were at the event the year before, which influenced his choice to join the club.
“One year ago, I talked to one of the other club members and he really had a good pitch,” Osman said. “I can’t lie, he got me in the first half. I ended up coming when the semester started.”
The club handball team also made an appearance on Saturday,
spreading information and recruiting players for the sport.
Pauly Pimentel, club president, and his team recruited both men and women, hoping to start up both teams by the beginning of the school year.
“We got a good amount of people coming over checking out the tables (and a) good amount of sign ups going on,” Pimentel said. “We’re trying to get a whole women’s team signed up over here along with our men’s team too, so – so far so good.”
The team placed third in the Division II college handball national competition in 2024, according to the team’s Instagram page.
More information about this can be found on a webpage from Team Handball News that also shows the results and scores of the other matches.
The teacher preparation graduate student also founded the club and kept it afloat until he had help from some officers.
“I’ve been president now for two years officially (and) I was the one who had to take initiative and start the club a few years ago,” Pimentel said. “For the most part, I have been doing a lot of the club organization things all by myself.”
Regarding student housing, Joe West Hall Residential Advisor Ashley Cummings was a part of a group that gave students a tour of the building while talking about the amenities the hallhas for students.
Cummings had to think creatively with the information and questions that she
provided which was a new experience for her, given it was her first Admitted Spartans Day.
“For me personally it was just a little nerve wracking, because I was literally put on the spot,” Cummings said. “I could see how that could be uncomfortable for other people who are not used to speaking in front of large groups.”
Joe West Hall houses over 650 residents with amenities including access to the Campus Village B Residential Activity Center, according to an SJSU webpage. When it comes to showcasing all that the university has available to students, Pimentel encourages students to try new things when coming to SJSU, whether it be team handball or another club or organization on campus.
“Just come try something new (and) not just with us,” Pimentel said. “There’s other club sports out there that are not your traditional sports that you might (end) up playing all your life.”
The university offers club sports including archery, rugby, powerlifting and more, according to the SJSU club sports webpage.
Osman shares this same sentiment as he also wants to see more students active regarding campus extracurricular activities.
“I’m hoping to see more student involvement,” Osman said. “I want to see more freshmen involvement (and) a lot of new people coming in.”
PHOTOS BY ISRAEL ARCHIE | SPARTAN DAILY
The San José State University Club Handball team greet prospective students and families on 7th Street during Admitted Spartan Day on Saturday afternoon.
Among the clubs and organizations, the American Concerete Institute SJSU Chapter talks with incoming students.
Library gallery adds new perspective
1 3 2 4
#1: The entrance to “Beyond the Spectrum” shows two children painting a purple flower together. The exhibit features digital art showcasing the effects of visual art activities in special education classes.
#2: A painting in the Jennifer and Philip DiNapoli Exhibit Gallery depicting four friends making art cites a study declaring the importance of visual art in special education classrooms.
#3: A portrait on the second floor of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Library discusses maker culture and its role in enhancing creative expression.
#4: The “buddy system,” as illustrated in the “Beyond the Spectrum” exhibit, creates a sense of belonging and a meaningful connection between disabled students and non-disabled students.
SongsToCreateTo:
Chief Production “La femme d'argent" “La femme Air (Electronic) Selected by Charity Spicer Selected by Charity News/Production Editor Editor
by Mike Corpos
by Mike Corpos
“Piece OF My Heart” “Piece OF Heart” Erma Franklin (Funk)
by Kaya Henkes-Power Selected Henkes-Power Executive Editor
PHOTOS BY GABRIEL EVANS | SPARTAN DAILY
of the Ancient Mariner” Iron Maiden (Metal)
SPORTS PREVIEW
Playoff tournament
By Israel Archie SENIOR STAFF WRITER
With the NBA regular season being officially wrapped up as of Sunday, the league will go into its first phase of postseason play on Tuesday, starting with the 2025 Play-In Tournament.
The tournament was officially included in the playoff picture in 2022 after being used for two consecutive seasons, according to an NBA webpage.
Essentially it’s four teams playing for the seventh and eighth seed in their respective conference, according to an article from the LA Times that was published on Sunday.
The seventh and eighth seed will play for the No. 7 spot in the playoffs and the loser of that game will play the winner of the ninth and 10th seed game for the No. 8 spot, according to the same source.
In the Western Conference, the No. 7 Golden State Warriors will take on the No. 8 Memphis Grizzlies on Tuesday the Warriors look to redeem themselves and secure a spot.
The Warriors are in this position because of their loss on Sunday to the Los Angeles Clippers in overtime. If they had won that game, they would have clinched the sixth seed and had a first-round matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers, according to a Saturday article published by The Athletic.
The last time these two played, Golden State point guard Stephen Curry dropped 52 points,
shooting an impressive 60% from the three-point line with 12 threes, just one three shy of his career high for most threes in a game on April 1.
During the season, the Warriors went 3-1 in the season series against Memphis, which is why Golden State will host them at the Chase Center, according to a gameday preview from the NBA.
No. 9 and No. 10, who in this case are the Sacramento Kings in ninth and the Dallas Mavericks in 10th.
The team that comes out as the last seed in the Western playoff picture will go up against the Oklahoma City Thunder, the top seed in the conference who also has the best record in the league at 68-14.
Whoever wins the game between Golden State and Memphis will clinch the seventh seed and play the Houston Rockets in round one. The loser will play the winner between the
The Kings and Mavericks will play on Wednesday. The losing team will be officially eliminated from playoff contention and their season will be over.
In the Eastern Conference, the No. 7
Orlando Magic are scheduled to play the No. 8 Atlanta Hawks on Tuesday for a chance to play the No. 2 Boston Celtics. Following this matchup on Wednesday, the No.9 Chicago Bulls will matchup against the No.10 Miami Heat, with the loser of that game being eliminated.
and later set a franchise record of 16 straight wins before it was ultimately snapped by a loss to the Magic.
The winning team will then play the loser of the Magic and Hawks for a chance to secure the No. 8 seed and play the Cleveland Cavaliers.
The Cavs won their first 15 games of the season
The team went on to finish with a record of 64-18, which was their best record since the departure of NBA superstar LeBron James. The final games of the play-in tournament are scheduled to be played on Friday, with round one of the playoffs immediately following on Saturday.