The CSI Spanish Club offers students a chance to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, providing a safe space and welcoming environment for all.
By: Annaliese Delgado
The CSI Hispanic and Latino community came together on October 23 to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. Members of the Spanish Club brought flags, homemade food, and played music while students showcased their pride in their cultures.
While CSI grounds remains free from ICE and open to inclusivity and diversity, some students acknowledge the fear of ICE and the potential threat they could face outside of campus gates.
“A bunch of our members are undocumented, so I think they still come to our events because they want to feel, to express their culture without the fear of ICE,” said Vice President Nicole Valeria Ordoñez. “I would do my best to try to protect my members, because they’re people I put first, like I love them all.”
The celebration was also organized and hosted by President Adamaris Robles, Secretary Ashley Soriano, and Treasurer Micaela Robles. The event highlighted heritages from Puerto Rico, Colombia, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, and Peru.
Across the country, rising concerns about deportations have led to many cancellations of traditional celebrations to reduce the risk of people being detained by ICE. Events such as Saramiento and Mexico Independence Day Festival were canceled because of the ICE raids, along with the Hispanic Heritage Festival of the Carolinas, the Hispanic Heritage Fest in Kenner, Louisiana, and FIESTA Indianapolis.
Since President Donald Trump returned to the Oval Office, more than 527,000 deportations have taken place this year. Roughly 2 million have left the United States, and 1.6 million have self-deported.
“I wanted to bring, like, a safe space for all Hispanics on campus, and not just Hispanics on campus, like, anyone who’s interested in the Hispanic culture,” said Ordoñez. “I want them to come in, and I want to share my culture with everyone.”
In 2S-215, members hung flags from every Hispanic country, attendees wore cultural attire and spoke Spanish freely, and Bad Bunny songs played on speaker. Tables were packed with Papa a la Huancaína and Chaufa from Peru; Tacos Dorados, Choco Flan and Jarritos from Mexico; Arepas, Té and Dulces Colombianos from Colombia; and Croquetas from Spain.
“We try to include all stuff from their countries as well,” said Soriano.“I feel like it’s very equal for each one of us, and where we are from.”
Despite the controversy, CSI’s Spanish club has not fallen short in celebrating its roots. For many students, it was more than a celebration but a chance to declare their heritage, within a community that is anxious about its future in the U.S.
“ICE is a very tough, but me I personally would be a strong person, stand up for those who can’t, have a voice,” said Soriano, “I feel like our event here it’s fun and for people to feel safe, and if anything, we could lock the door and prevent them from coming in.”
