Baylor Students Reflect on Immigration Debate Amid Minneapolis Protests

As deportations and demonstrations make national headlines, Baylor community grapples with how immigration policy is shaping campus conversations and personal lives.

Published on Feb. 4, 2026

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As protests over immigration policy continue in Minneapolis, Baylor students and faculty are joining the growing national conversation. Brownsville junior Rebeca Alanis has seen the local impact, with her former restaurant job seeing a drop in customers as nearby Mexican businesses closed due to deportations. Political science chair Dr. Patrick Flavin says the issue is viewed through a partisan lens, increasing polarization, though he notes the Christian values of welcoming immigrants. Alanis hopes her peers will approach the topic with more empathy.

Why it matters

The immigration debate is directly impacting Baylor students, especially those from border towns, as deportations and enforcement actions affect local businesses and communities. The issue also intersects with religious and political divides on campus, highlighting the need for more nuanced dialogue.

The details

Baylor students are grappling with the national immigration debate as it plays out locally. Brownsville junior Rebeca Alanis saw the impact on her former restaurant job, which went from serving 8 tables to just 2-3 as nearby Mexican businesses closed due to deportations. Political science chair Dr. Patrick Flavin says the issue is viewed through a partisan lens, increasing polarization, though he notes the Christian values of welcoming immigrants are part of the civil discourse, as seen in the Minneapolis protests led by church leaders.

  • On Jan. 24, U.S. citizen Alex Pretti was killed by federal agents while protesting in Minneapolis.
  • This month, Pretti is the second fatality that has occurred in Minneapolis at the hands of federal agents, sparking new dialogue.

The players

Rebeca Alanis

A Brownsville junior who previously worked as a waitress at a local Mexican restaurant, seeing a drop in customers as nearby businesses closed due to deportations.

Dr. Patrick Flavin

The chair of Baylor's political science department, who says the immigration issue is viewed through a partisan lens on campus, increasing polarization.

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What they’re saying

“Other businesses, more Mexican restaurants, had to start closing because they didn't have enough staff, their owners got deported or they got detained.”

— Rebeca Alanis, Baylor Student (baylorlariat.com)

“What's going on in Minnesota at the moment is an issue that's constantly on the news, on social media. [It's] more direct to students if they have family or friends who are immigrants, especially if they're undocumented immigrants.”

— Dr. Patrick Flavin, Chair, Political Science Department (baylorlariat.com)

“I think it's really sad, especially here at Baylor, hearing some people be kind of proud about the fact that they voted for this. It makes me sad just because our whole thing is Christian values.”

— Rebeca Alanis, Baylor Student (baylorlariat.com)

What’s next

As the discussion continues to unfold, Alanis said she hopes students view the issue with more empathy, taking the time to understand different perspectives.

The takeaway

The immigration debate is deeply impacting Baylor's campus, highlighting the need for more nuanced dialogue that bridges political and religious divides. Students like Alanis hope their peers will approach the topic with greater compassion for those directly affected.