Recently, leaders from Communities for Our Colleges (C4C) were featured in a KING 5 segment highlighting the experiences of undocumented students in Washington. The story lifts up a reality that many of our students know all too well: for some, going to school is not just about learning — it’s about safety.
One student shared that they have been scared to go to school.
Not because of school itself, but because of the fear that immigration enforcement could impact them or their family. That fear doesn’t stay outside — it follows students into classrooms, onto campuses, and into everyday decisions about whether it’s safe to show up.
At C4C, we organize with students across Washington who are navigating these same challenges. We know that barriers to education are not just financial — they are also about whether students feel safe, supported, and able to fully participate in their education.
When students are afraid to attend class, access services, or even apply for financial aid, it becomes clear that access to education is not just about enrollment — it’s about safety and dignity.
That is why we continue to advocate for policies like the SAFE Act (SB 5906), which would help protect students by creating clearer safeguards around access to campuses and limiting how personal information is shared. These protections matter because they directly impact whether students can show up and succeed.
At its core, this is about something simple: Students should not have to choose between their safety and their education.
Undocumented students are part of our communities, our classrooms, and our future. When they are supported, our entire state is stronger. When they are pushed out by fear, we all lose.
We’re grateful to the students and leaders who shared their stories in this segment. Their voices are helping shine a light on what’s happening — and why it matters.