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From promised land to police state

@Talonmarks

February 4, 2026

Celebrating 70 years of utilizing the First Amendment

Volume 70 | Issue 5

Cerritos College vows to protect student privacy amid ICE concerns Patricia Mercado Staff Writer

Concerns from students in immigrant or mixed-status families were addressed at President’s Hour on Jan. 20. Cerritos College President Dr. Jose Fierro said the college follows strict privacy policies and limits the sharing of student information. “The Board of Trustees has been very adamant that we don’t share student information with federal agencies,” Fierro said. “That is part of our policy and only applies in cases of valid judicial orders. Campus police are here to protect students and the campus, not to police them. Supporting students who may be impacted by immigration enforcement is a top priority.” Fierro added that faculty and staff have received training on how to distinguish valid judicial orders and understand what

information can and cannot be disclosed. “There is a layered communication process so that information is first shared with those who need to know, before any campuswide communication is sent out,” he said. “That balance helps keep students informed without creating unnecessary fear.” Students raised questions about campus construction, including the recently demolished bookstore. Fierro touched based construction is ongoing and said the new bookstore will be rebuilt near Old Falcon Way, with overall renovations expected to be completed by the end of the year. He also expressed optimism for the semester, noting that attendance has returned to prepandemic levels Read more at Talonmarks.com

Iran protests surge amid economic crisis Jenny Nicole Varela Staff Writer

Iran is facing some of its biggest protests in years as the country’s economy continues to fall apart. Prices for food and basic goods have gone up fast, the value of the Iranian rial has dropped and many families can no longer afford what they need to survive. Inflation has climbed so high that even middle-class families are struggling. In response to the growing anger, the Iranian government has shut down the internet in many areas, arrested thousands of people and used deadly force against protesters. The internet shutdown is being used to hide unlawful killings and stop people from sharing videos or asking for help. Students and staff without family in Iran may feel the situation raises important questions about rights and government power.

“I don’t have relatives in Iran, but it’s disturbing to see a government shut down the internet to silence people,” Camila Guerra, a sociology major at Cerritos, said. “It shows how fast rights can disappear. We forget our freedoms aren’t guaranteed.” Alfonso Ramirez, a business major, said the violence in Iran made him think about similar problems in the United States. “Hearing about protestors being attacked makes me think of what happened to Renee Good in Minneapolis,” Ramirez said. “It showed me that force from authorities isn’t just something that happens in other countries. We’ve seen it here too, and it makes you pay attention differently,” he added. Although overwhelmed by global crises. students believe the situation in Iran warrants attention as it prompts them to consider fairness, safety, and government power. The crisis makes it clear that no place is guaranteed freedom.

ESMERALDA TORRES

Workers assist students with financial aid questions as they come and go from the Financial Aid office on Jan. 22, 2026.

The Big Bill: New grants, harder hurdles Kassandra López News Editor

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act was passed July 2025, which included major tax cuts, mainly to social programs, including SNAP and historic funding for border security. This act was a significant part of President Trump’s second term agenda. In terms of California Community Colleges, this new bill will offer new Workforce Pell Grants while also implementing stricter rules and requirements for students. This bill will offer more workforce opportunities while also having a big impact on students’ daily lives and financial stability. As California Community Colleges prepare for the 2026 rollout, leadership is warning that the bill’s new data-tracking and work-eligibility rules will force a massive change in how campuses support their students. Linda Vazquez, Assistant Vice Chancellor of State and Federal Relations, said, “ This legislation could impact institutional operations, student services, and federal compliance requirements across the California Community Colleges system.” Student enrollment and accessibility will look different while relying on stricter requirements. talonmarks.com

A bill that will have a major impact on introducing government education programs and social policies has not been presented in decades. Some students believe the tax cuts appear to benefit the higherincome groups, which can result in further limiting opportunities for those with fewer resources. Jocelyn Cervantes, a Business Administration major at Cerritos College, believes that this new bill would give some people an advantage over others. “Although border security is an issue, financing it through cuts to social programs such as SNAP places an unfair impact on the low-income and foodinsecure populations,” she said. The majority of the new conditions will go into effect in California starting July 1. Federal Pell Grants will be accessible through short-term career programs, but colleges have to prove that this program is effective, with high percentages of completion and finding their next step within the program. Community college programs must prove that their graduates earn more than a typical high school graduate to remain eligible for federal student loans. For many students, the July 1 rollout also introduces a strict cost-of-attendance cap that eliminates federal Pell Grants for those who already have their tuition covered by the California

College Promise or other state scholarships. The bill’s 80-hour monthly work or education requirement means that part-time students who drop below six units risk an immediate loss of their Medi-Cal and CalFresh benefits. United States House Budget Chairman Jodey Arrington authored the bill, intending to prioritize border security and national defense. “After four years of incompetence, lawlessness, chaos, and overreach, a new day has dawned in this great country, and hope is on the horizon with the One Big Beautiful Bill,” Arrington said. Republicans see the One Big Beautiful Bill Act as a way to restore order and come back from government failure. With more workforce program opportunities came the increased risks of food insecurity and social inequality, which create higher costs for society overall. The success of this massive policy shift will ultimately depend on whether institutions can bridge the gap between these heightened federal expectations and the practical needs of their local communities. “Big changes are on the horizon for federal financial aid, and the college students who rely on it,” Columbus Dispatch journalist Sheridan Hendrix said.


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