Trinity, situated in an urban landscape populated by majority Latine citizens, has a population of 24.6% Latine students, according to Forbes 2023 data. During Latine Heritage month, campus organizations such as Trinity University Latino Association (TULA) and Latinas Unidas are celebrating Latine empowerment to support student and community members affected by mass deportations around San Antonio.

In a solidarity statement shared on TULA’s social media, the executive board said that they will continue to uplift and empower the Trinity Latine community. “As an organization committed to sharing and honoring the Latine experience, we believe it is essential to recognize both the strength of our community and the need to stand together in moments of deep grief,” a TULA post on Instagram read.

Kay Cansino, senior sociology major and co-president of TULA, shared that recent mass deportations extend beyond her identity as a Trinity student, but impact her as a native of San Antonio as well. Having that connection to San Antonio, she has seen first-hand the impact of anti-Latine movements around the city in regards to her friends, family and community members. She said the greater impact on the city in turn affects the Trinity community.

Fellow TULA executive member, M. Nayeli Alemán, senior global Latinx studies and Spanish double-major, noticed she felt most comfortable in her global Latinx and Spanish classes.

During her first year, Alemán struggled with finding her community at a predominantly white institution and often went home during the weekends. It wasn’t until Alemán and Cansino went to Viva Las Americas together that they felt culturally recognized and that they belonged on campus.

“We felt this switch, like we found our people,” Cansino said.

Similarly, Victoria Cardenas, sophomore economics major and president of Latinas Unidas, got the idea to create the organization from a friend. The organization states that it seeks empowerment, career development and community engagement for Latinas.

“To me, Latino empowerment means being proud of where you come from, but also not being afraid to make other people uncomfortable,” Cardenas said. “As Latinos we are walking into spaces that weren’t meant for us so that we could flourish.”

Bianca Tafoya, sophomore political science major and vice-president of Latinas Unidas, said that faculty support encouraged them. Outside of the Trinity community, Tafoya reflected on her experience from a previous internship with Southwest Workers Union, which utilized intern outreach to encourage citizens to vote.

“There’s this one man I met, he was telling me he completely gave up on the government,” Tafoya said. “Nothing will ever take back the pain he felt when he lost his wife to deportation.”

Many people Tafoya encountered during her internship felt ashamed of their heritage and could remember a time when they weren’t allowed to speak Spanish in school. She mentioned that this has further affected generations of Latinx families that aren’t able to connect over a shared language. Cansino also shared that many students and community members worry speaking Spanish will put them at risk.

“That is something we historically fought out of. Erasing our native languages, then trying to regain them back and now having to erase them again is a weird step back. I want to feel safe on campus,” Cansino said.

This sentiment reflects the Sept. 8 SCOTUS ruling allowing ICE agents to utilize race, language, employment type and various other factors to target individuals. When asked what students and community members can do to support Latine students impacted by mass deportations, Cansino advised students to extend support through fundraising, protests and donating to legal systems.

In search of community, there are an abundance of events during the month that welcome Latine students who are looking for support. From Monday, Sept. 15, through Wednesday, Oct. 15, these organizations will host film screenings, Latine artists and Viva Las Americas.

“Show up to events that celebrate Latino students so they see that not only your community is showing up for you, but other students show up as well,” Cansino said.

Tafoya told Latine students to remember what’s important. Through this time of separation and grief, Tafoya reminds herself of the ambition and drive she and other Latines embody.

“That goes back to knowing where we came from and respecting our ancestors for giving us what we have,” Tafoya said. “We have very strong endurance and that’s something I’m very proud of. Nothing can put me down.”