Seattle U student body president resigns over fears for his family as undocumented immigrants

SEATTLE — Seattle University senior Carlos Rodriguez stepped down Monday night from his role as student body president, and he said it’s due to actions from the president of the United States.

“I made my decision to resign my position as student body president because of the executive orders,” Rodriguez told KIRO 7.

He was brought to the U.S. from Mexico at age 3 as an undocumented immigrant and only recently became more vocal about his situation.  He now said he fears for his family in Georgia.

“I'm just very paranoid for them and myself,” said Rodriguez.  “And I want to make sure we're all okay even with me being so open about my status.”

He told KIRO 7 Trump’s orders to start the border wall with Mexico and to deport criminal undocumented immigrants led to the decision to step down and change his focus.

“We are going to get the bad ones out,” said President Trump on Jan. 25.  “The criminals and the drug dealers and gangs and gang members and cartel leaders.”

KIRO 7 anchor John Knicely asked Rodriguez if President Trump’s focus on criminals decreased his fears.

“It actually increases them,” said Rodriguez, who added that his family is nervous about getting even a ticket while driving.

No he’s focused on helping other undocumented students on things like applying for DACA, or Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, a policy that President Barack Obama issued in 2012 to give minors who were brought to the U.S. a renewable 2 year period of protection from deportation.

“I want to spend more of my time doing that,” said Rodriguez.  “Helping high school students attend college and finding financial support for that.  Or helping people apply for DACA. I think that's really where I need to be right now.”

When he graduates from Seattle U in the spring, Rodriguez plans to seek a job in public policy or local government in the Seattle area.

Cox Media Group