Report: KSU Students Arrested at UGA Protest Over Immigration Policies

Some Kennesaw State University students found themselves behind bars in an Athens jail on Friday after they were arrested as part of a protest regarding the state’s immigration policy held at the University of Georgia.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, citing The Red and Black student newspaper at UGA, reported that nine students from UGA, KSU, and Freedom University were part of the protest inside Moore College 90 minutes after the facility had closed for the night. Police were called to the building, and everyone but the nine students left, the AJC said.

The remaining nine students refused to vacate the building and were arrested and booked for criminal trespassing, the UGA said.

According to the AJC, the students were protesting a state policy which prevents students who were brought to the country illegally as children from enrolling in universities which have had to turn other students away due to space limitations. The policy also stipulates that these students must pay out-of-state tuition to attend schools they are eligible to enroll at.

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program enacted by President Obama has halted the deportation of such undocumented youth, provided they have attended school in the U.S. and have not committed felonies. Eligible youth receive renewable deportation deferrals and work permits, the AJC said.

Should college-aged undocumented immigrants be allowed to attend Georgia’s public colleges and universities without penalty? Tell us in the comments!