Loyola has responded to recent concerns regarding the federal government possibly revoking the green cards of immigrant students who are involved with any protests supporting Gaza within the conflict.
Students fear that because the Trump Administration may force universities to revoke the green cards of any immigrant students who participate in a protest supporting Palestine, Loyola will inevitably face federal pressure in making the same decision.
Vice President of Marketing and Communications Aariel Charbonnet responded on behalf of the President’s office, stating that the university leadership is in the process of gathering information concerning how to educate and protect the community from the impact of federal pressure.
“Loyola University New Orleans remains deeply committed to its Jesuit Catholic mission of welcoming and supporting students from all backgrounds and preparing them for a more just world,” Charbonnet said.
Students from Tulane and Loyola gathered on March 11 to protest in support of Palestine and Gaza following the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a student at Columbia University, and the attempt to revoke his green card, which gives him lawful permanent residency in the country.
Khalil was taken into custody by the Department of Homeland Security on March 9, 2025. He was then sent to a federal immigration detention facility in Louisiana until an immigration judge determined whether he could be deported.
The Trump Administration made a promise to cut federal funding towards any universities that refuse to stop antisemitism by revoking green cards of immigrant students who are involved in these demonstrations.
In the first weeks of his second term, he ordered federal agencies to use “all available and appropriate legal tools” to end campus antisemitism, including the removal of foreign students and staff deemed security risks.
Although Khalil and other student members of Columbia University Apartheid Divest have denied the allegations towards antisemitism, the protests have involved support towards Hamas and other labeled terrorist groups like Hezbollah.
Charbonnet said the university is constantly evaluating the changing and evolving of federal guidelines and regulations, emphasizing the university’s steadfast commitment to resolving students’ concerns over getting their green cards revoked.
“University leadership is actively evaluating these developments and their potential impact on our community,” Charbonnet said
According to Charbonnet, the university’s administration will also engage with other Jesuit institutions including the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities and the Association of Catholic Colleges to figure out this matter.
Charbonnet said that the university is committed to continuing the prioritization of student support services and to ensure the academic freedom of our community and the ability to exercise free expression will remain protected.
“Our unwavering commitment is to create a campus environment where every member of our community feels valued, seen, and supported,” she said.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
