Presidential Message on National Gang Violence Prevention Week

9/23/2025

Briefings & Statements

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Action Summary

Purpose: Honor victims and support families affected by gang violence during National Gang Violence Prevention Week, while reaffirming commitment to securing communities.
Law Enforcement & Public Safety: Pledge to remove violent gang members, cartels, and drug traffickers from streets to restore law and order; express gratitude to law enforcement personnel.
Border Security Measures: Highlight previous administration’s shortcomings at the southern border and detail current measures, including the declaration of a National Emergency at the border.
Designation of Terrorist Organizations: Officially designate dangerous gangs such as MS-13 and Tren de Aragua as Foreign Terrorist Organizations to curb criminal activities.
Deportation & Legislative Action: Launch the largest mass deportation operation in U.S. history and sign the One Big Beautiful Bill to secure funding for border wall expansion and bolster Border Patrol and ICE operations.
National Security & Sovereignty: Emphasize the administration’s efforts to reestablish national sovereignty and ensure safe communities for American families.

Risks & Considerations

The designation of certain gangs as Foreign Terrorist Organizations and the subsequent mass deportation operations could lead to increased scrutiny and potential challenges for international students and faculty at Vanderbilt University, particularly those from regions associated with these gangs.
Heightened immigration enforcement and border security measures may impact the university’s ability to recruit and retain international talent, affecting diversity and the exchange of global perspectives within the academic community.
The focus on law enforcement and border security could divert federal funding away from educational and research initiatives, potentially impacting grants and financial support for university programs.
Vanderbilt may need to enhance its support services for students and staff who might be affected by these policies, including legal assistance and counseling services.

Impacted Programs

Vanderbilt’s International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) may need to increase its resources and support for international students and faculty facing visa and immigration challenges.
The Peabody College of Education and Human Development could see a shift in research priorities, with potential opportunities to study the social and educational impacts of immigration policies and gang violence prevention.
Vanderbilt Law School might experience increased demand for expertise in immigration law and policy, providing opportunities for research and advocacy.
The Office of Community Engagement could play a role in supporting local communities affected by gang violence and immigration enforcement, fostering partnerships and outreach initiatives.

Financial Impact

Changes in federal funding priorities towards border security and law enforcement could impact the availability of grants and financial support for educational and research programs at Vanderbilt.
Vanderbilt may need to explore alternative funding sources, such as private grants and partnerships, to mitigate potential reductions in federal support.
The university might face increased costs associated with providing additional support services for international students and faculty affected by immigration policies.
There could be potential impacts on tuition revenue if international student enrollment is affected by heightened immigration enforcement and visa restrictions.

Relevance Score: 4 (The policies present high risks involving security and potential major transformations in university programs and support services.)

Key Actions

Vanderbilt’s Office of Federal Relations should closely monitor changes in immigration and deportation policies, particularly those affecting international students and scholars. This will be crucial in understanding how these changes might impact the university’s diverse student body and faculty recruitment.
The Vanderbilt Project on Unity & American Democracy could explore opportunities to engage in public discourse and research on the societal impacts of gang violence prevention policies. By contributing to the national conversation, the project can enhance its role as a thought leader in promoting unity and democracy.
Vanderbilt’s Law School should consider developing programs or clinics focused on immigration law and policy, providing students with practical experience and supporting affected communities. This initiative could also position the law school as a leader in legal education on immigration issues.
The Department of Sociology could conduct research on the effects of gang violence prevention policies on communities, contributing valuable insights into the effectiveness and social implications of these measures. Sharing these findings with policymakers and the public can further establish Vanderbilt as a hub for innovative social research.

Opportunities

The executive order presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Peabody College to expand its research on community safety and violence prevention. By leveraging its expertise in social policy and community development, Peabody can contribute to the design and evaluation of effective gang violence prevention programs.
Vanderbilt can capitalize on the increased focus on law enforcement and public safety by developing new partnerships with local and federal agencies. This could include joint research initiatives, training programs, and collaborative community outreach efforts, enhancing Vanderbilt’s reputation and impact in the public safety sector.
The emphasis on supporting law enforcement offers an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Criminal Justice Program to engage in policy analysis and advocacy. By providing evidence-based recommendations, the program can influence how resources are allocated and used to support effective law enforcement practices.
By engaging with the broader community and policymakers, Vanderbilt can position itself as a leader in the national conversation on public safety and violence prevention. Hosting conferences, workshops, and public forums on the implications of these policies can further establish Vanderbilt as a hub for innovative thought and practice in this area.

Relevance Score: 4 (The order presents the potential for major process changes required for Vanderbilt’s programs due to impacts on immigration and public safety policies.)

Average Relevance Score: 3.6

Timeline for Implementation

Effective immediately as of January 20, 2025 – the directives (including the declaration of a National Emergency and designation of gangs as Foreign Terrorist Organizations) were executed upon the President’s inauguration.

Relevance Score: 5

Impacted Government Organizations

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (Border Patrol): This agency is explicitly highlighted for its role in border security, including the implementation of enhanced border wall funding and operations to track and remove dangerous elements from our borders.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): ICE is central to executing the mass deportation operation and enforcing the policies aimed at removing violent gang members and other illegal alien criminals from American communities.

Relevance Score: 1 (Only one or two agencies are directly impacted by the directive.)

Responsible Officials

U.S. Border Patrol – Tasked with enhancing border security and enforcing immigration laws as directed in the mass deportation operation.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) – Responsible for executing the deportations and tracking down, arresting, and removing dangerous individuals from communities.

Relevance Score: 4 (Directives impact the agency heads and top officials responsible for large-scale operations.)