More than 10 percent of Trevecca students not eligible to vote

By Michelle Loria Alvarado

Assistant News Editor

Melissa Colorado came to the United States from Colombia in 2017 with her family when she was 14 years old seeking asylum after her family was threatened by a local guerilla group in the country. 

She is carefully following the presidential election campaigns and as the director of inclusion and belonging, she knows many students are also concerned about immigration policies in the United States.

She also knows that many of them won’t be able to vote in the election. 

As early voting starts and election excitement is building, around 12% of Trevecca undergraduate students who are non-residents, including international students, will not be able to vote on Nov. 5.

“In order to vote, you have to be a U.S. citizen. That’s the requirement,” said Rebecca Merrick, director of global engagement.

She said there are various ways to be present in this country either as an immigrant or non-immigrant.

“Because our immigration system is so complicated there’s so many different levels,” said Merrick. “There are immigrants who are here, but they don’t yet qualify to vote because they’re permanent residents or asylees or there’s some other ones that are considered immigrants, but there’s a whole large group considered non-immigrants.” 

Colorado’s family flew from Colombia and moved to the United States because their family was threatened by the local guerilla group in the country.

“When my parents got married, my dad was almost kidnapped,” said Colorado.

When her mom was pregnant with her sister, they were forced to flee a fight between one of the guerrillas and one of the battalions from the army, said Colorado.

“This was like 26 years ago before I was even born and everything. So once we fast forward to 2017, once we started to get the threats, we decided, ‘You know what? We have to leave right now,’” said Colorado.

Despite Colorado’s inability to vote, she is actively involved in the election process and following up campaigns. Even though she is not a citizen, she grew up in the United States and cares about the future of the nation.

“I need voters to really understand that they have the power to decide what happens with my life and what happens with future generations of my family. They have the power to make my parents’ sacrifice worth it,” said Colorado.

A guide to immigration terms