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Wildfires prompt evacuation in the Carolinas as New Jersey crews battle their own blaze; Iowa town halls find 'empty chairs'; CA groups bring generations together to work on society's biggest problems; PA works to counter Trump clean energy rollbacks.

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Lawmakers from both parties face angry constituents. Some decide to skip town halls rather than address concerned voters and Kentucky considers mandatory Medicaid work requirements.

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Cuts to Medicaid and frozen funding for broadband are both likely to have a negative impact on rural healthcare, which is already struggling. Plus, lawsuits over the mass firing of federal workers have huge implications for public lands.

Higher ed leaders talk preparation for immigration officers on MD campuses

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Wednesday, March 5, 2025   

An executive order from President Donald Trump allows immigration officers to enter traditionally off-limits places, like houses of worship, schools and colleges, to detain undocumented immigrants. Now, higher education staff and faculty are preparing on how to best protect their students.

Of the nearly 250,000 undocumented immigrants living in Maryland, more than 10,000 attend colleges and universities in the state. That means that more than 2.5% of Maryland college students are undocumented.

Diego Sánchez, director of policy and strategy for the Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, said work is being done to educate students, staff and faculty about their rights if questioned by federal immigration officers.

"'Know Your Rights' materials are being distributed widely," Sánchez explained. "Ensuring that all members of the campus community, citizens and noncitizens alike, understand their legal protections and how to exercise them, reinforcing student privacy protections and limiting the disclosure of sensitive immigration-related information."

A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said in a statement the rule was meant to untie the hands of immigration officers - and allow them to pursue those with criminal histories.

The National Immigration Law Center said federal immigration officers are allowed to be in public places on campuses, the same as any other member of the public. But ICE agents cannot access private areas without a warrant.

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, said Trump's executive order undermines bedrock principles on college campuses, including academic freedom.

"Higher education should be the bastion of free ideas and academic freedom," Weingarten contended. "Because how do you create new things? How do you innovate? How do you imagine if you don't actually create academic freedom?"

The National Immigration Law Center also advised employees on campuses are not required to provide documents, grant access to buildings, or assist immigration officials in any way.

Disclosure: The American Federation of Teachers contributes to our fund for reporting on Education, Health Issues, Livable Wages/Working Families, and Social Justice. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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