THE Unmasking the truth behind men’s mental health
JULES HESKIA, ROWAN GRENIER, SAMUEL
BUTLER, JAMISON
BLACK BEAR, JUSTIN PHELPS
GRAPHICS EDITOR, SPORTS EDITOR, STAFF WRITERS
HURON EMERY
At the age of 14, senior Thomas Hathaway was terrified to sleep every night, screaming in fear or feeling as if he was fighting the devil. Even his mom’s comfort wasn’t enough to save him from his struggles. It was way more than just a bad day, it was the start of a long mental health journey Mental health is a sensitive and important topic, especially for high schoolers becoming more independent, navigating identities and future goals. Among men in particular, it has created significant problems over the years and will continue to do so. A big factor that causes mental health struggles for male high school students is isolation. Kelly VanEe, a social worker at Huron High School, has strong words to describe the isolation teens have been putting themselves in.
“There’s this feeling of connecting, playing online games,” VanEe said. “It works for a lot of guys, but that is not a replacement for face-to-face, hanging out, playing pickup all together, going to McDonald’s or whatever. I think that is a problem, even isolation from family. I think there’s not many families that eat
together anymore. And if it can’t be dinner, then when are you connecting with your family?”
Hathaway experienced this state of loneliness. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he faced many issues, which led to him showing some symptoms of mental health disorders.
“I’m an extrovert,” Hathaway said. “Being home alone for a long time by myself just kind of put me in this tiny box where I couldn’t talk to people. It messed me up.”
Social standards and expectations are another factor preventing men from seeking help. Social norms have always claimed men are too weak to express their real feelings or that men should just “tough it out.” Clinical Social Worker and Therapist at Psychology Today Kathleen Kyzar has been working with teens for years and can clearly see this has been an issue for many male teens seeking help.
“That makes it harder for them to admit when they’re struggling, even to themselves. They’re not necessarily less emotional, but they may be more afraid to let others see it and less willing to acknowledge the emotions rising up in them,” Kyzar said. “Traditional masculinity teaches men to be strong, self-reliant, and in control. Some men worry it makes them look weak or broken, which couldn’t be further from the truth.”
With that being said, young male adults need to be able to find safe spaces where they can discuss their mental health. Huron High School provides many
PHOTO BY BRODY TURNER, ILLUSTRATION BY SATVIKA
RAMANATHAN, PHOTO SUBJECT
THOMAS HATHAWAY
MENTAL HEALTH | FROM PAGE ONE
resources such as social workers, counselors, P2P lab and other trusted adults.
“I think we have great leadership here,” VanEe said. “Our admin team is excellent. I think they support any of the efforts that we do. I know the mental health assembly is one thing that we try to do. I think our teachers are open and honest and flexible and understanding. They’re trying to facilitate environments where students feel comfortable to let a teacher know it’s not a good day, or ‘I’m really overwhelmed.’ I know students talk about mental health in health class. We have great counselors.”
An additional issue for some teenagers are the resources available and the help from friends and family. Hathaway struggled financially to find a therapist who could help with his mental health.
“Only my mom helped,” Hathaway said. “She cradled me in bed and comforted me
A note from the editors
Dear Reader,
As you can probably tell, this issue of the newspaper looks a little different from most others that The Emery has published. We decided to do a special edition featuring five in-depth stories about topics that are important to
because I was 14. Nothing I did really helped. And everyone else just said, ‘that sucks man, I’m so sorry.’”
However, at Huron High School, the resources for help are available and the quantity or quality isn’t the problem. It could be the lack of trust. Some students haven’t created trusting relationships with teachers and staff, causing them not to feel comfortable enough to talk to those adults. Peers can be helpful, too. VanEe believes it takes a leader in a friend group to lead by example and show it is okay to get help.
“It probably takes guys who are leaders in a friend group,” VanEe said. “I imagine that if those people were like, ‘That totally stresses me out when I have to take a test,’ or, ‘it hurt when that girl said no to me.’ I think that’s part of it - you guys being brave enough to model it for each other. It’s like in class, if no one’s raising their hand, when finally someone raises their hand, everyone’s like ‘I can ask a question too.’”
EDITORIAL BOARD:
Satvika Ramanathan 405293@ aaps.k12.mi.us
Maya Fu 314166@aaps.k12.mi.us
Ashley Kim 316519@aaps.k12.mi.us
Anjali Nadarajah 424587@aaps. k12.mi.us
ADVISER
Sara-Beth Badalamente STAFF
Emily Hu, Ishaan Kamat, Kasia Phan Website Editors-in-Chief
Julya Mae Jones & Kiki Choi Social Media Editor-in-Chief
our staff.
Given the current political climate and uncertainty for many, we thought it was important to share local stories that are related to human rights. Our staff got to choose a variety of stories in groups that they thought were relevant and necessary to discuss. We tried hard to localize each story and connect larger themes and issues back to us as students at Huron High School in Ann Arbor.
Each piece took a lot of research, interviews and editing in order to guarantee that we are producing high-
Although there are plenty of resources for students at Huron, many people don’t know where and how they can attain this help outside of Huron. Kyzar has seen this become a rising issue for people and thinks it plays a big role in why men don’t seek help.
“A lot of people don’t know what kind of help is out there or how to start,” Kyzar said. “Some aren’t sure if they need a therapist, a psychiatrist, or something else. Also, if they don’t have insurance or money to spare, it can feel even more overwhelming.”
With these resources not being a problem at Huron, VanEe thinks it’s important for students to have trustful relationships with staff members and has a potential idea in mind for a way to help students feel more comfortable.
“I used to do lunch groups with guys who had IEPs,” she said. “It was great. It was a point of connection for these guys. Sometimes we just talked about movies and
quality, impactful stories that are conveying our messages to the readers. The Emery strives to remain neutral and unbiased in our tone and coverage. Our staff chose these topics based on what they felt was important to them and our school. We hope this issue motivates you to dig deeper into topics that you are passionate about and encourages you to stay open-minded and open to hearing other opinions and perspectives. One of the main ideas we learn in journalism is that everyone has a story to share, and that was central to
stuff. Other times we went a little deeper. I wonder if that would ever work if we stood just a small discussion group or online group. They get to choose the people who are there, like their friends, so they feel more comfortable. They could choose a teacher or just a social worker to be there and get to be comfortable around them. Over time, they’re going to get more comfortable, and that’s going to create more sources for students if they ever need help.”
The aftereffects of the mental struggles still affect Hathaway to this day. Not only has he changed as a person, but his experience has led him to make sure anyone avoids going through what he went through.
“I really think it took
THE EMERY STAFF
our process in creating this newspaper. This issue is one that is unlike anything we’ve made before, and we hope it’s something you enjoy reading. Thank you for your support, and we will see you with more student journalism next year!
Sincerely,
Satvika Ramanathan and Maya Fu Print Editors-in-Chief of The Huron Emery
everything out of me. My friends and family say my emotions have changed. I put on a happy face, but those who really know me and my emotions can tell they are never really the way they are supposed to be,” Hathaway said. “Currently, I spend a ton of my time making sure the people I care about and even those I’ve never met never have to feel what I went through. I wouldn’t wish it on my greatest enemy, and I’d do anything to eradicate the feeling from the world.”
If someone is struggling with mental health, they should tell a trusted adult as soon as possible. If someone considering taking their life, the suicide prevention hotline number can be called at 988.
Zooming into youth advocacy around Ann Arbor
DANIELLE LEE STAFF WRITER
In Washtenaw County, young people are taking an active role in shaping the community’s future through the Washtenaw County Youth Commission (WCYC)– a youth-led advisory board that works directly with the county government to raise awareness on local issues and recommend solutions to be put into action.
This year the commission focused on numerous topics, including food insecurity, mental health, and community violence.
“What we do is raise awareness for these different issues and get input from youth around the county,” Lakshya Jaiganesh a sophomore
Empowering youth voices Lobbying in the capital against gun violence
and the current cosecretary of the WCYC said, “Then, at the end of the year, we meet with the actual county commissioners and recommend steps they should take next year.”
Jaiganesh said. “We also had resources for people so they could learn how to use the resources– like even in their own backyard–to make food.”
AMY YANG, CLARISSA GELSON NEWS EDITOR, STAFF WRITER
Through organizing public events, conducting surveys, or giving recommendations to the county commissioners, the commission offers students a unique opportunity to learn about civic engagement and actively change their community for the better, highlighting the WCYC’s mission: to empower the youth to speak up, get involved, and advocate for their communities.
This year, the Food Insecurity Task Force partnered with Growing Hope, an urban farm in Ypsilanti. Through their partnership with Growing Hope, the teen leadership program hosted a public event that addressed the local insecurities.
“We raised awareness on food insecurity in the county and in the country,”
of specifically underprivileged women–or the people that I try my best to serve.”
FloFund is a student-led nonprofit organization founded by sophomore Kayla Fu to raise awareness about period poverty and provide menstrual care packages to women who need them, especially those in shelters. After being part of a group that collected pads for donation, Fu wanted to keep the mission alive when the club disbanded.
“People don’t realize what a privilege it is to be able to afford hygiene products,” FloFund
Since starting FloFund, Fu and her volunteers have gathered over $1,200, using the funds to assemble and distribute care packages throughout Ann Arbor. Each package typically includes pads, tampons, and other hygiene essentials– supplies that many people take for granted, but which are often inaccessible to those living in poverty. The group also organizes fundraisers and upcoming events at local restaurants like Noodles and Company
Gun violence has become an evergrowing concern in the United States.
At Huron, Students Demand Action is an organization made up of high school and college students working towards a future free of gun violence. Established in 2018, Students Demand Action is a large organization consisting of many different chapters, allowing local student groups to organize and take action at a school level.
involvement of the student body regarding the issue of gun violence within school communities. This year, Huron Students Demand Action has participated in several different advocacy events.
“The idea of the chapters is that you would get more local, more specific,” club member junior Ella Yip said.
Huron’s chapter specifically focuses on the goal of the
Students Demand Action hosts monthly board meetings, working towards increased student participation within the Huron student body.
“Next year we hope to ramp up our communication with the student body and get as many awareness events going as possible,” Yip said. “This year, half the board is gone. We really hope to get us more.” involved with school events.”
“Huron Students Demand Action were able to go to Advocacy Day,” Yip said. “All chapters gathered and were able to lobby outside the capital. We organized orange days and support, and we encouraged [people] to vote for gun-sensitive candidates.”
Currently, Huron
Fighting against the battle of accessibility
and Chipotle. Fu has additionally been trying to outreach and work with other organizations in Michigan, including Helping Women Period.
“I want to help those who are struggling with accessing foods for a natural part of their body,” said sophomore secretary Liya Zhang.
As FloFund expands in Ann Arbor and beyond, the team is focused not only on fundraising but also building a supportive community for volunteers and recipients alike. Their goal is to break the stigma around menstruation while ensuring no woman has to choose between basic necessities and menstrual care.
FloFund posts regularly on Instagram (@ flo_fund), where they share opportunities and fundraisers to participate in.
SOPHOMORES KAYLA FU, LIYA ZHANG, AND SYDNEY ALDY ATTENDING THE FLOFUND
STUDENT MEMBERS AT WASHINGTON DC PROTESTS PHOTO COURTESY OF SELENE KOREMENOS-TSEBELIS
YOUTH COMMISSIONERS AT THE GROWING HOPE COLLABORATION EVENT PHOTO COURTESY OF LAKSHYA JAIGANESH
ISHAAN KAMAT AND DANIELLE LEE
WEBSITE DITOR-IN-CHIEF AND STAFF WRITER
about it. I don’t bring it up, but I feel like if I were to tell someone, it doesn’t change much about my social circle.”Anonymous Huron Student
just in terms of how I interact with other kids, a lot of my friends have started dating, and I’m not really interested in that; or not the same way.” - Anonymous Huron Student
being thrown out, but I’m not really friends with them. I have my own friend group, and trust them.”Anonymous Huron Student
Ifeelthegroundunderneathmy thighs, Thebladesofgrassbrushedagainst them, Imprintingontomyheart.
SALEM
undeniable, wondered when the lines blurred between me and the flowers.
Whitepetalsinvademymind, Andtheirpureshadetakesovermy thoughts. Ifeelmyselfmournaversionof myselfthatIneverwas, AndmaybeneverevenexistedBut I knew her. Mystemissuffocated, Adimgreenthatisforcedtobind, Onto the sun. Ihopetofeelthesunagainstmybare skinoneday, Asmylungcollapseundertheweight oftheground. Ipulloffanotherleaf, And continue to cut it shorter.
Anothersnipand stitch, AndsuddenlyI feltmyfeetbrush againstthesurface ofsomething. Iwasstanding. Ifinallytakethatbreathof air, Andthesunisagainstmycheeks Paintingitabrightred. ThepurewhiteIonceknewno longerexisted, AndIfeltmyhairbrushagainstmy
DINH, ISHA SAVI, MAYA FU, KIKI CHOI STAFF WRITER, ZINE/COPY EDITOR, PRINT EDITIOR-IN-CHIEF, SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR-IN- CHIEF
The year of 2025 marks the 10year anniversary of same sex marriage’s legalization– a decade difference. Historically, the fight for equity has been long and full of struggle, and while tensions have undeniably eased within the last decade or so, the battle is far from over for the LGTBQ+ community. With Trump’s re-election into office in 2025, the concerns for antiqueer legislation have only continued to increase. Project 2025, conservative America’s manifesto, lists out the causes of these concerns. The document aims to remove the existing policies to protect against discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation, such as Title VII protections as well as interpretations of Title IX. The effects of the document passing would have a large impact, disproportionately harming members of the queer community in not just schools, but workplaces and healthcare systems. At Huron, the Rainbow Rats Club is an organization aiming to provide a safe space for LGBTQ+ people and allies. Junior Violet Neau is a member. “I think that some things have changed very recently, and our recent presidential election has emboldened some people,” Neau said. “Subtle bigotry and weird comments have become pretty common.”
Trans youth have been particular targets, wilting in the spotlight of news and legislature. Looking back at the last five years, many find that discrimination has become hard to ignore–Jay Sloan of Ann Arbor’s Neutral Zone has seen this happen in real time.
“Trans folks make up less than a percent of the population,” Sloan said, “which is wild considering how much antitransspecificrhetoricwehearintheworld.”
“We have so many different opportunities for youth to engage in things that they’re interested in and also things that they need,” she said. “It has looked like a lot of collaboration and learning how I can better support the organic work that is always happening at Neutral Zone.”
As well as this, queer people have been able to organize and root themselves in community for support in reaction to
In 2023, five bills targeting trans people were passed in Florida, including the “Don’t Say Gay” bill. This bill restricts access to document changes, military participation, and higher education for the trans community. Further, according to the Trans Legislation Tracker, in 2020, there were around 83 bills in consideration targetingtranspeopleinsports,healthcare, education and bathroom usage. This number has gone up to 859 in 2025 alone. From the onset of Project 2025 to pervasive microaggressions to the rise of anti-LGBTQ rhetoric, safe spaces have become a significant resource. Sloan makes sure this is accessible to those within our community in Southeast Michigan.
the recent changes in public opinion and legislation. Self defense classes geared toward LGBTQ people have sprung upthroughoutthecountry,suchasQueerFight Club in St. Louis and teacher-led classes at UM-Flint. As well as this organizations such as Neutral Zone and PrideZone, while affected by the current administration, have resources and aid for queer people. All these things considered, it’s easy to jump to the idea that society as a whole is becoming irrevocably antiLGBTQ. Sloan disagrees.
“I think these voices have always existed,” she said.
“You know, there have always been people who have been antiLGBTQ, and I don’t think {society} is any more or less anti-LGBTQ. Those voices just have the right space to be transparent about what they really think and feel.”
The truth about greenwashing: Eco-friendly or Eco-fraud?
ANJALI NADARAJAH, GRACE HENLEY, ASHLEY KIM, SAVANNAH
DUMAN, JENNIFER DIAZ AND AVIGAIL ORTIZTREJO
CHIEF CONTENT EDITOR, A & E EDITOR, MANAGING EDITOR, STAFF WRITERS
Despite much talk about climate change and environmental problems, greenwashing remains a serious issue that is widely unknown. Greenwashing is a marketing practice used by many major companies to deceive consumers into believing that their products are environmentally friendly, when in reality, they’re not. Not only is this a form of manipulation to unassuming ignorant consumers, but it has also taken a detrimental toll on the everworsening global problem.
“I think it’s especially prevalent in major corporations like Starbucks, with their whole shift to eliminating straws and stuff like that, where there truly wasn’t a huge benefit to it,” Green Team Vice President Max Samaha said. “It is trying to create this image that they’re so environmentally friendly. And I think it’s once you look into it, it just comes off as self-righteous.”
Junior Luke Bunnell, president of Huron’s Green Team, shares a similar sentiment.
“As young people, we’ve always been kind of exposed to climate change and how it is going to negatively affect our futures,” Bunnell said. “If you’re in the grocery store and you see a product
GRAPHIC BY BRODY TURNER
Emery senior editors’ farewell to the newspaper
MAYA FU EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
There is nothing like high school newspaper. As a scared incoming freshman who joined newspaper knowing nothing about it, unsure even about whether it was a club or a class that I could get credit from, I was apprehensive about
JULYA MAE JONES SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
I first joined The Emery my freshman year. I had just moved from South Carolina and it was nearing the end of the year. I had no clue what I was doing in the class, I had never written an article a day in my life. But I quickly found out that newspaper
KIRSTEN CHOI SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
When I entered high school, I didn’t know we had a school newspaper. Once I learned about it from my friend Maya when I was a sophomore, I joined the next semester, and it was one of the best decisions I made in high school. Newspaper
ASHLEY KIM MANAGER EDITOR
Throughout my time as a part of the Emery, I’ve improved both as a journalist and as a person. I’ve gotten to meet and collaborate with some of the most talented and amazing people I know, and been able to get involved with and share my voice with
YUANCHEN ZHAO DESIGN EDITOR
When I first joined the Huron Emery in the second semester of my junior year, I was pretty nervous and skeptical on how well I’d fit in. I wanted to design, but wasn’t familiar with Adobe or the platforms we used. However, I
whether or not I’d be able to fit into the well-oiled gears of the newsroom. But the upperclassmen editors welcomed me into the exhilarating flow of journalism without hesitation, and taking the leap of faith proved to be the best decision I made in high school.
The reason that journalism
was more than just writing, when I got the opportunity to take photos for prom. I had gained a newfound love for photography and OC had given me the opportunity to get two explore it at MIPA. After that summer I knew that this was something I was extremely passionate about. My junior year I
allowed me to exercise my enjoyment of writing, but I didn’t expect the community I also found with The Emery. I’ve made so many new friends through the paper and it’s been a really unique experience working on a newspaper, especially as an editor-in-chief.
the community around me. For me, Newspaper was so much more than just a class. This classroom was always filled with so many laughs and smiles, and it never failed to brighten my day. I’m confident that the skills I’ve developed in this class will stick with me for the rest of my life.
was proven wrong after a few weeks, and I got to expand my art skills in so many ways. My passion for art turned into something I could share with the community, and I’m really glad I was able to do that! I was able to collaborate with peers on different issues and gain skills I’ll definitely be using in college.
is so important is because its most important lessons are taught in the context of the real world. From doing interviews, to reporting on school events, to attending community protests, we can’t help but grow not only as journalists, but as people, as our minds and hearts are opened to the complex world around us.
became social media editorin-chief and I feel like that was the year I learned so much. I learned how to really become a leader and how to use my voice. The Emery has given me a community of people and tools to help me become a leader in the work environment. As much as I was unsure about the class
My time with the Emery was filled with lots of different adventures which led me through many unique and fun learning opportunities. The journalism convention trips, summer camp workshops, even classroom activities and lessons all were able to teach me some very valuable lessons that I can take with me through life. I was able to meet many new people sparking some great relationships with some of best people I know. I will miss being able to explore my community and the people’s lives within in through journalism with the Emery and I hope to take these lessons I’ve learned through life.
Staff Editorial: Staying open-minded in a closed off world
With the withdrawal of Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI) and an ICE crackdown on illegal immigrants all over the nation, human rights for many, especially for those of a minority group, are becoming increasingly uncertain.
Bias will always be present, whether through a friendly conversation with friends or an assignment in class; it exists as an aspect of our identity. Bias can be helpful in creating a variety of different views. Consequently, it is also
extremely important to be open to others’ perspectives and experiences. At such an impressionable time in our lives, understanding and empathy are essential. When conversing with friends or acquaintances, consideration of other opinions and perspectives is important, even if one doesn’t personally agree. By hearing out different perspectives and experiences that one cannot experience, we can remain empathetic and understand the numerous things that people are going through.
Staying informed is a great example. News can be understandably overwhelming and at times triggering for some; however, remaining in touch with news on local, national and global levels can be valuable for many reasons. By staying up to date with recent events, one can become better informed, think and make decisions objectively, and become better aware of oneself and the world around them. Some reliable sources include the New York Times for global and national news, NPR for the
If you’re even considering joining this community, I urge you to do it. The Emery is an outlet, the people in these classes are a family, and the newsroom is a home.
national and statewide level, and local Ann Arbor student publications such as the Huron Emery and Michigan Daily. It is essential to employ critical thinking and stay open-minded, which can be done in a multitude of ways as a student. Ultimately, listening to others’ experiences and opinions, even if they are different from one’s own, creates a better and broader world for everyone.
initially in freshman year, I now know I wouldn’t trade my time with The Emery for anything else.
Being a part of the newspaper has been a highlight of my time at Huron. I’ve met so many amazing individuals who truly care about the work they put out and have been endlessly inspired by the creative minds in the Emery. I mean it wholeheartedly when I say that I believe my art has improved so much while serving as a design editor through the constant tweaks and advice for areas of improvement it’s gone through. Even as I go off to college, I hope to continue to keep up with The Emery’s Instagram and all it will accomplish!
ROWAN GRENIER SPORTS EDITOR
ANNA LEE DESIGN EDITOR
GRAPHIC BY AMELIA BAI
A new era: The impact of recent policies on immigrants
SATVIKA RAMANATHAN, RYAN CERDAS, ALEX LOOMIS AND ANDY ETCHILL
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AND STAFF WRITERS
“I remember feeling scared.”
When undocumented Huron student Jane Doe* moved from Honduras to America, she was only five years old. Her mom decided to move to America with her for a better life.
“Jobs over there don’t really pay that well,” Doe said. “It’s a really poor country, and dangerous as well. You turn the corner and there is someone getting robbed.”
Doe and her family came up to the MexicoAmerica border in buses and then a van. She, along with her mom, uncle, cousin and another couple crossed the border in a white van. After they crossed, they were chased by the police through the Texas countryside.
“The person driving us jumped back into the car and just started moving really fast,” she said. “Our hearts were racing.”
They lost the police and got out of the car.
Doe recalls it being really hot.
“There was no fresh air at all,” she said.
They hid in the tall grass, and got really thirsty walking in the thick heat. They stopped at a farmhouse to ask for water, but didn’t know where to go and eventually let themselves be caught.
Doe and her group were taken to a facility and put in cells. There were about 30 women and children in each 1,000 square foot cell.
“We had to share a bathroom and didn’t get much food,” Doe said.
According to the Immigration Law Unit of the Legal Aid Society and Law Help NY, there are three categories of people eligible to get out of detention: people who qualify for a bond or a release from the judge, people who have “certain problems” for ICE to consider or people who campaign for their release.
The experience of being in detention is one that Doe still remembers clearly, 11 years later. Doe is just one of many with a story like this.
Doe’s family came for better employment opportunities and to escape the everyday dangers in her old neighborhood, but there are other reasons for immigration as well. According to immigrationforum.org, many undocumented immigrants come for reasons like family, employment and humanitarian protection.
There are a few centers in Michigan that focus specifically on work regarding immigration. The Michigan Immigrant Rights Center (MIRC) is a statewide non-profit legal resource organization that provides legal services to low income immigrants. They have free services for anyone who can’t afford to pay attorneys.
Reed believes that MIRC’s work** is important, regardless of which side of the political spectrum one is standing on.
“I think any person of good will, any person who’s been a parent or a grandparent or an aunt or uncle or has known a child and cared about a child in any way can see that it’s not fair,” Reed said. “I think anyone from any political party should be able to understand that something is wrong when you put a child up against a government lawyer and say, ‘Good luck kid,’ in a life and death matter.”
Doe feels that the recent policies have been unfair.
“Everyone wants something better for their future,” Doe said.
University of Michigan Environmental Service Worker Olga Feege is a documented immigrant who came from Honduras in October 2022 for healthcare for her husband.
1.2% of Michigan’s population - The American Immigration Council Foreign born people make up 6.4% of Michigan’s population - The American Immigration Council in 2023, Michigan had an immigration population of 7.3%
- The American Immigration Council
GRAPHICS BY SATVIKA RAMANATHAN in 2021, undocumented immigrants made up
After being at the detention center for about a week, Doe’s uncle who lived in Michigan helped them leave.
“It took a lot of phone calls, and I know there was money involved,” Doe said.
“There have been more than 220 policy changes since Jan. 20,” MIRC Director Susan Reed said. “Really, more than any person can wrap their mind around. Some of [the policies] are symbolic and don’t change things much. But some radically change lives, like the cancellation o r termination of different countries’ designations for temporary protected status. Each of [these kinds of policies] causes thousands of people to lose their ability to work and stay in the United States.”
Other policies have also impacted MIRC’s operations, including cuts to federal funding they received.
“[The government] needs to do better,” Feege said. “I’m worried because they separate families who have been living here for so long, and they didn’t do anything wrong; they just came for a better life. I think it’s okay to deport people who commit crimes, but not the people who stay here and don’t do anything wrong, just work and do the best they can.”
Doe agrees with this idea.
“I think on one side, maybe [deportation] is important, just because there are a lot of dangerous people that come into the United States that actually come to do harm, but there’s a majority of us who just come here for a better life,” Doe said. “Parents just want what’s better for their children. We just want a better future. At the end of the day, we’re all human.”
Doe also feels worried for the next generation under the new Trump administration.
“As someone who’s now 16, I feel for the children,” she said. “I fear for them, because I always think about how I would feel if this were me, because it’s still a possibility, especially for my mom. I feel like it’s just really unfair. I just don’t see how someone can have that much hatred in his heart for people that he doesn’t even know.”
*This student chose to remain anonymous for the story.
**For more information, MIRC’s website is michiganimmigrant.org, and they update Facebook (Michigan Immigrant Rights Center) frequently.
GRAPHIC BY JANE HU