By Saron Gebereegziabhier
Trinity Times Correspondent

The furious start of President Donald Trump’s second term has sparked fear, uncertainty, and activism among members of the Trinity Washington University community, prompting the school to host a “Know Your Rights” workshop on Feb. 13, 2025.

The workshop, which will be held at 4 p.m. in Main Hall’s O’Connor Auditorium, is a direct response to the flurry of executive orders Trump issued on his Jan. 20 inauguration day and afterward, fulfilling a campaign promise of mass deportations and other immigration measures, said Rosa Reyes, a Trinity student success advisor and director of the Dream Partnership.

It is intended to “ensure our community is informed and empowered,” Reyes said, adding that students, faculty, and staff should RSVP using this link.

For many, especially within immigrant communities, the political landscape has intensified concerns about the future. Yet, amid these challenges, discussions on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs and the need for reliable information sources have taken center stage, shaping a call to action for the university community.

One of the most immediate concerns under Trump’s new term has been the systematic targeting of DEI programs, leading to significant consequences for education and employment opportunities.

“I had one agency already call and say that internships that they were going to extend to Trinity students could no longer be extended because of the anti-DEI executive order,” said Trinity President Patricia McGuire. 

“The Trump administration is spreading a lie about diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, saying that they are illegal and racist themselves,” McGuire told Trinity Times, countering misinformation surrounding these initiatives. “Absolutely not.”

She emphasized that DEI programs exist to create opportunities for historically marginalized groups, not to disadvantage others.

Djenba Cisse, public relations manager for Trinity’s Debate Society, echoed these concerns, noting that corporate and institutional commitments to social justice have shifted as a result of the second Trump era.

“This new presidency has shown me that even the most progressive and liberal companies, like Target — places that we’ve consistently put our money into — aren’t as progressive and as liberal as we think,” Cisse said.

Trinity Washington University is also addressing the spread of misinformation, recognizing its impact under the current administration.

McGuire highlighted how ignorance is often used as a tool by authoritarian leaders to instill fear and spread false narratives, reinforcing the essential role of higher education in countering propaganda.

Trinity’s mission regarding information literacy is to ensure that students critically evaluate the information they encounter, particularly on social media. 

Rather than accepting content at face value, students are encouraged to question, research, and verify sources. To support this, the university promotes engagement with academic resources, faculty expertise, and library research to help students develop a well-informed perspective.

As the administration moves forward with mass deportation efforts, fear has gripped many students at Trinity, particularly those from immigrant backgrounds.

“The great emotional distress that everyone is going through is palpable. I feel your pain, and I share that sense of concern,” McGuire said, underscoring the importance of fostering a secure environment within the Trinity community.

“I have known people who were always loud and proud about their heritage, but now they’re retreating, hiding within each other, and not being as talkative or proud about their experiences because people are scared,” said Lakshimi Mosquera-Herrera, president of Trinity’s Debate Society.

Both Mosquera-Herrera and Cisse are encouraging their fellow students to become activists in the causes they believe are under threat by the new administration and commit themselves to full engagement to preserve what they believe are essential American values.

In response to the Trump Administration actions, Trinity has reinforced its commitment to protecting students.

“At Trinity, I can’t promise 100% anything — it would be wrong if I did — but this is a very safe space, and I hope that our students can feel that,” McGuire said. “It’s also my job to help you through it and to provide some tools and supports to help us get past this, because the most effective thing we can do is to be proud of who we are and to get students out of that fear factor into restoration of pride in heritage, in who we are, what we bring to the table.”

During a Jan. 30 virtual “Campus Conversations” event, students said they had been hearing rumors that the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was planning to raid the campuses of Trinity and Howard University in the coming weeks. 

McGuire informed students that Trinity has protocols in place if ICE agents come onto campus. She said security would direct the agents to her and other members of the university administration, requiring them to present a warrant, which would be reviewed by the college’s legal counsel. 

Agents are not permitted in private areas of the university, McGuire said.

Beyond legal protections, Trinity has boosted its counseling and support services to provide students with mental health resources. The university’s counseling staff is readily available, and small group meetings are planned in the coming weeks to offer students a space to share their concerns and express their needs.

Despite the challenges posed by the Trump administration, Trinity Washington University remains resolute, with faculty, staff, and students working together to uphold their values.

“As a private, Catholic institution, we live by the essential teachings of social justice that begin with upholding the dignity and worth of every person,” McGuire said. “Trinity remains committed to racial justice, gender equity, inclusion and protection for all persons here of all races, ethnicities, religions, cultures, or gender identities.”