Borderlines is a column written by Andrea Baltodano, a Nicaragua national who is currently seeking asylum in the United States. In the 2024-2025 school year Baltodano serves as Opinion Editor for Collegian. She will be Editor in Chief with Zackary Kirk-Newton for the 2025-2026 school year.
Land of the free, home of the same
In 2018, I watched my homeland Nicaragua unravel into a human rights disaster. Protesters against government corruption were met with brutal crackdowns.
Breaking news is the heartbeat of journalism
In the era of misinformation, citizen journalism and reduced newsrooms, there is one principle that remains constant: breaking news is the heartbeat of journalism.
Laken Riley Act targets the wrong people
No one should ever have to go through the pain of losing a loved one because of violence. A country already deeply split on immigration was shaken by Laken Riley’s sad death, which fueled calls to more rigorous enforcement.
DOGE: The Department of Government Disruption
On February 14th, three individuals entered San Francisco City Hall under the guise of representing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), as part of a YouTube stunt. They demanded access to computer systems, asserting their purpose was to uncover governmental fraud.
Government as a meme: White House Instagram account turns inflammatory
At a time when new immigration policies impact millions of lives, The White House chose to reduce the issue to a meme.
Asylum seeker ponders uncertain future
As the camera panned over the jubilant crowd at President Donald Trump’s 2025 inauguration, I couldn’t help but feel the weight of America’s decision pressing down on me. My feelings are not just as an observer, but as someone whose life will be affected by the decisions of this administration.
Locked Out of Democracy: An Immigrant’s Reality
I was around 7-years old when I first heard the word “democracy.” It was in Civics class in my home country of Nicaragua and the teacher explained democracy means “the power of the people.” The fact that you had the power to influence the leadership of your city or country seemed almost magical.
