Overview
Triggered by shared understandings of oppression, the alliance between Black American students and students from abroad cuts across nationalities, but is particularly strong with students from the African diaspora. Originally from England, Azeez Adedeji, a senior studying business administration and sports management, was drawn to Northern Illinois University by the diversity of the student body on the Dekalb, Illinois campus. Now a senior, he says the affordable tuition also didn’t hurt. But Adedeji’s sense of comfort at NIU was disrupted in March, when the federal government deported two classmates and fellow international students — one from Kenya, the other from Ethiopia. “One [student] was researching clean water solutions for rural communities. The other studied AI ethics,” Adedeji says. “Their work mattered, but suddenly they were gone.”
“Suspicion Follows You Everywhere”
The incident, and others like them around the country, brought new urgency, and a different perspective, to the racial healing discussions happening on NIU’s campus. Along with examining the racial divide, Black students are forging solidarity with students who come from abroad — particularly those who are part of the global African diaspora. That connection was underscored last month at an anti-deportation protest organized by two educators’ unions on campus: the Instructors’ Chapter of UPI 4100 and the NIU-United Faculty Alliance. The protest, part of a national Day of Action, highlighted a national wave of visa revocations affecting more than 1,000 international students in recent months — including at least five at NIU. “When you’re Black and international, suspicion follows you everywhere,” says Adanna Chidubem, an NIU graduate student from Nigeria. Chidubem, who studies healthcare disparities, says her research visa was delayed for months last year without explanation.
International Enrollment Drops
Universities nationwide have reported a decline in international enrollment since 2020, with advocacy groups linking the trend to heightened visa scrutiny and fears of detention or deportation. NIU’s international student population has dropped 12% since 2020, according to university data. Campus cultural clubs, such as the African Student Association and the Black International Caucus, say the decline erodes community support. “We used to host packed events,” says Omoloa Chidubem, who leads a mentorship program for incoming Black international students. “Now, newcomers ask if it’s safe to speak up. That’s the opposite of healing.” “Healing starts when institutions defend us openly, not just in emails,” she added. “We need them to say our names in rooms where decisions are made.” “Allies chanting for us matters,” Chidubem says. “But dignity means more than visas. It’s being seen as people, not risks.”
Everyone Benefits
John Miller, president of the University Professionals of Illinois, warned that deterring international scholars weakens academia. Over 25% of STEM graduate students in the U.S. are from overseas, according to the National Science Foundation, and advocates say they help drive scientific discovery that benefits everyone. “They’re not just diversity statistics — they’re innovators,” Miller says. “When we push them away, we lose talent that fuels American research.” “Transparency isn’t just policy — it’s accountability,” Adedeji says. “Protecting students means funding their defense,” says protest attendee Silas Gallagher, a second-year sociology graduate student. As the crowd dispersed, the three students lingered near the library in quiet solidarity. For them, racial healing hinges on more than policy shifts — it’s about rewriting narratives. “This isn’t just our fight,” Chidubem says. “It’s for the next student who shouldn’t have to hide.”
About Word In Black
The Word In Black Racial Equity Fund, a component fund of Local Media Foundation, supports the work of Black-owned and operated local news media by providing critical journalism resources for Word In Black, a collaborative effort of 10 legendary Black publishers. Soon after the murder of George Floyd in 2020, Local Media Foundation established the Fund, originally called the Fund for Black Journalism. In the months after launch, donations to the Fund provided resources for LMF and 10 of the nation’s leading Black-owned local news organizations — AFRO News, The Atlanta Voice, Dallas Weekly, Houston Defender, Michigan Chronicle, New York Amsterdam News, Sacramento Observer, Seattle Medium, St. Louis American, and Washington Informer — to establish Word In Black. Word In Black is a digital startup unlike any other in the news media industry. It is the only national brand backed by legacy Black-owned news publishers, with strong histories and deep trust in their communities.
Conclusion
The alliance between Black American students and international students, particularly those from the African diaspora, is a powerful force in the fight against campus deportations. By standing together, these students are bringing attention to the issues of racial healing, international enrollment, and the benefits of diversity on campus. As the Word In Black Racial Equity Fund continues to support the work of Black-owned and operated local news media, it is clear that the fight for racial equity and justice is far from over.
FAQs
Q: What is the Word In Black Racial Equity Fund?
A: The Word In Black Racial Equity Fund is a component fund of Local Media Foundation that supports the work of Black-owned and operated local news media.
Q: What is the purpose of the Fund?
A: The purpose of the Fund is to provide critical journalism resources for Word In Black, a collaborative effort of 10 legendary Black publishers.
Q: How has international enrollment been affected by recent events?
A: International enrollment has declined nationwide since 2020, with advocacy groups linking the trend to heightened visa scrutiny and fears of detention or deportation.
Q: What is the benefit of diversity on campus?
A: Diversity on campus brings different perspectives and ideas, driving scientific discovery and innovation that benefits everyone.
Q: What can be done to support international students?
A: Institutions can defend international students openly, provide transparency and accountability, and fund their defense to support their rights and dignity.
