“I can’t vote, so I don’t care” was a common theme for international students at Richland Campus heading into the 2024 general election.
Being unable to participate in the electoral process has left some students to feel detached from the U.S. elections, leading them to sit back and view what unfolds from an outsider’s perspective.
Zunnurain Tazim, an international student from Bangladesh, said: “I’m an observer here when it comes to the election. And what I’m doing here is just observing the results and it doesn’t affect me directly, but you know, I’m observing it and mentally, there may be an effect. I’m also comparing all the time to the election process back home.”
In contrast to this view, other students feel a sense of frustration. “I feel a little restricted. I would really like to vote and have an impact on who would be leading the United States,” Brooke Tilahun, another said international student, said.
While their feelings on not being able to vote differed, a mutual desire for streamlining the immigration process was expressed when it comes to policies that were relevant to international students. King Johnson, a student from Nigeria, said: “Make the legal immigration process a little more easier. More convenient, because I know people who want to come here for legitimate reasons. You find it really difficult to come in.”
There was also the matter of becoming a naturalized citizen. Tilahun said: “Mostly citizenship, and I would like to have the opportunity to become a citizen because immigration laws and you know a lot of those dealing with being a resident of the United States.”
“It’s a lot of process that you have to go through. I think if they could make that a little bit simpler for anybody and I’m saying like for people who are here the legal way, not just getting into the border or anything like that.”
In regard to immigration policies, Tazim Tazim expressed frustration with immigration policies, stating that while policies are often discussed, they are not being properly implemented.
He emphasized the importance of moving beyond conversation and ensuring that these policies are actually put into action.
While international students at Richland may not have a direct say in the 2024 US election, their perspectives display a shared desire for inclusive and effective policies.
