Immigrant and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has increased its presence in local communities and on college campuses in recent months. Below is information for current college students about their rights, legal expectations and what actions they can take.
IU Indianapolis’ annual Martin Luther King Jr. Dinner, a campus tradition that has spanned nearly six decades, was cancelled this year, prompting frustration among students and leading a series of student-led events across Indianapolis on MLK Day.
Indiana lawmakers delivered a rare rebuke to President Donald Trump on Thursday, Dec. 11, voting down a controversial mid-cycle redistricting bill that would have dramatically reshaped Indiana’s congressional map and weakened the political influence of Indianapolis residents, including thousands of students at IU Indianapolis.
In early September, the Trump administration started their “crackdown” on the city of Chicago. This was done by enacting a federal initiative “Operation Midway Blitz,” with the purpose of targeting undocumented immigrants in Chicago. Due to the increase of U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, the residents of Chicago have taken to protest, and there is concern for the state of Indiana and how the recent developments could impact the state.
On Sunday, Nov. 9, in downtown Indianapolis, students, leaders, and community members from across Indiana rallied for Sudan in the cold and snowy weather.
Indiana University Indianapolis officials outlined major federal and state policy developments during a graduate-student webinar hosted on Friday, Nov. 7. The emphasis was on new legislation, upcoming priorities for the 2026 General Assembly and the importance of civic engagement among students
Charles James Kirk, co-founder of Turning Point USA, was assassinated on Wednesday, Sept. 10 at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah. His death sparked a nationwide debate on the implications of free speech. Yesterday, Kirk would have turned 32 years old.
On July 1, 2025, the Indiana General Assembly's House Enrolled Act (HEA) 1001-2025 was made effective, a new state budget bill that brings major changes to higher education. The Indiana Commission for Higher Education (CHE) reported that seven universities across the state have been affected, with 74 programs eliminated, 101 suspended and 229 pending mergers. CHE reports that "six of those seven public institutions had voluntarily submitted degree program [changes] ahead of the effective date."
Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping higher education, altering how students complete assignments and how professors safeguard academic integrity. At Indiana University Indianapolis, the debate reflects a broader national divide: Some see AI as an essential tool for the future workforce, while others warn it undermines the very foundation of a college degree.
Earlier this year, schools across the country saw a steep increase in cuts to “DEI” programs by the Trump Administration. Now student programs are either being cut, relocated, or losing funding as a result of state and national funding cuts.
The Department of Homeland Security announced on August 5 the new partnership with Indiana to expand the amount of beds used for detainees of ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) at the Miami Correctional Center, a maximum-security prison, about 70 miles north of Indianapolis. Following the same ideals as “Alligator Alcatraz,” it will be called “Speedway Slammer,” in reference to Indiana’s racing culture.
Over the last few months, higher education has had major hits both on the state and national levels. With cuts to state funding, financial aid and programs offered, higher education has become less attainable than ever for Hoosiers.
On April 4, Jelena Liu, a graduate student at IU Indianapolis, had her Service ID wrongfully revoked with no warning from the Student and Exchange Visitors Information System (SEVIS) record system. “I was checking my email box and I got a surprise gift,” Liu said. Liu is not an isolated case. Five more students from Purdue University, one student from Ivy Tech and one student from the University of Notre Dame have had their visas revoked.
In 2024, youth violence prevention organizations in Indianapolis came together to host the inaugural Peace Walk, where hundreds of attendees gathered to stand up for a safer and more peaceful future. Gift Akintomide, a senior at Ben Davis University High School, is passionate about social justice and ...
On March 4, Indiana Gov. Mike Braun signed Executive Orders 25-35 and 25-36, addressing the classification and rights of transgender individuals in Indiana. The orders plan to define “gender” and “sex” as synonymous and ban transgender women’s ability to participate in college-level sports.
“Go back to your country, and if you don't like it here, go back,” said Oscar Huizar, a Mexican-American student at IU Indianapolis. Huizar’s words echo the widespread rhetoric that many immigrants in the United States are facing, especially after President Trump has continued to implement harsh immigration policies.
Following the results of the 2024 presidential election, the women who feel wronged by America’s decision appear to be at an impasse, but as the 4B Movement gains attention across the media and the gender divide expands tenfold, women are finding strength in control. Beginning in South Korea, the 2019 movement refers to the “four no’s,” bihon, bichulsan, biyeonae and bisekseu–which translates to a discipline of no marriage with men, no giving birth, no dating men and no sex with men. Simply put, women are going on strike with their bodies.
Solutions by The State News
