Christian Meza
Sports Editor
President Donald Trump has signed 139 executive orders since he was sworn into office on Jan. 20, 2025. One of Trump’s first executive orders was the denial of citizenship to individuals born to a mother and father who were not United States citizens or lawful residents.
The banning of birthright citizenship was passed to ‘Protect the Meaning and the Value of American Citizenship’. Trump declared United States citizenship as a “priceless and profound gift” in the presidential documents of the executive order.
The Dreamer Student Organization at Texas A&M University-San Antonio is an organization that holds themselves as a support system and a resource for students who may be affected by this executive order.
The Mesquite interviewed DSO officers Daniela Alvarado, Inioluwa Muyiwa, Obed Valencia and Nyla Aguilera about the Trump administration banning birthright citizenship and how it impacts A&M-San Antonio students.
Prospering Dreamers hope to reinforce campus community
Events and meetings the DSO hosted throughout the spring semester reflected a surge of engagement and participation with the A&M-San Antonio community. Dreamers President Valencia credited the “Know Your Rights” and “Understanding the Undocumented Students Experience” meetings as events where he took notice of an increase in student turnout.
“Our last meeting was the most people we’ve ever had, which was like 25 people, compared to our first meeting, which was just our adviser and our officers,” Valencia said. “Our social media engagement has made people more aware of us, so we can seem relatable and as friendly as possible. It has really helped people be more active within the club.”
Valencia said the DSO has other events such as “A Key for Healing” a collaboration with the Active Minds organization, which promotes mental health and wellness. A de-stress event that does not relate to politics.
“We were able to get people to come to that event that were not sure what to expect, but [participants] said that they found our meeting uplifting, that we provided a sense of community based on how welcoming we were,” said Valencia about the feedback they received on the “Key for Healing” events. “It was a different event that was distracting from what was going on, but that really impacted us because that’s what we’re striving for… to build a community, a family.”
Social media DSO officer Aguilera expressed gratitude for the Dreamers’ rise in dependency as a campus resource and a safe space.
“With us gaining more members, it gives us a sense of confidence that we can speak more about it without being scared,” Aguilera said. “I feel like our org made it easy for those students to be a resource, in a light but impactful way, making events fun but giving you proper information, especially in the current political climate we are in.”
Sophomore DSO officer Muyiwa explained how the banning of birthright citizenship can affect not only Mexican-Americans but also other nationalities. Muyiwa shared his own experience as a Nigerian.
“I understand where he’s coming from, but also if someone that came from another country or if they were born here, they have to be given the opportunity to have their rights and not be denied,” Muyiwa said.
“People come here for good healthcare, to have the opportunity for a better life so it doesn’t make sense. A lot of Nigerian families come here to start a family so it doesn’t make sense to take that away from them,” Muyiwa said.
DSO Treasurer Alvarado supported Muyiwa’s argument by saying that the preservation of the “American Dream” is not being supported by passing this executive order; how it’s impacting people’s lives, keeping them on edge.
“We came here for a better life and for the opportunities that we had, and now all of a sudden everything’s turning on its head,” Alvarado said. “One minute I can be at a Valero getting chips and pickles, and the next thing you know I’m in the back of a van,”
Aguilera emphasized that this topic is a sensitive subject that can be difficult for all individuals involved in the consequences of his executive order. How it can feel stressful balancing work, school, life and news on constant immigration deportation with legal status.
“I think our organization is so impactful right now because we give out critical information, we don’t hold it till the next day. We hear something, we say something, we’re college students and we need to help each other out,” Aguilera said.
“We encourage everyone to stay updated with everything changing day to day,” Aguilera said.
To find more resources and events with A&M-San Antonio’s DSO follow them at @tamusadso on Instagram.
