In a packed lecture hall at Penn State University, Dr. Sam Richards opened his SOC 119 sociology class with a deceptively simple topic: crime, visas, and immigration. But what unfolded was far from simple. What began as a discussion about international students and minor offenses quickly exploded into a raw, emotional debate. Students didn’t hold back, and by the end, hands were raised, voices were raised, and so were eyebrows.
Dr. Richards Sets the Scene
Dr. Richards, a longtime professor known for tackling hot-button topics, began the conversation by highlighting how visa holders must often tread carefully in the United States. “You’re a guest of the country,” he said, addressing how foreign students can be punished for offenses that wouldn’t faze a U.S. citizen. He warned that even crimes like marijuana possession, which some wrongly believe is decriminalized in Pennsylvania, can have major consequences.
A Snickers Bar Sparks Outrage
One moment in particular caught the attention of the entire room. A student referenced a case where a female international student was deported for stealing a Snickers bar – not once, but twice. “She did it intentionally,” the student stated. “And that was a good thing that she got deported, to be honest.” The room buzzed. Was a candy bar really worth ending someone’s education and future?
“They’re Not Just Sitting on the Couch”
Dr. Richards reminded the class that international students are deeply embedded in the university community. “They’re not just sitting on a couch eating our food,” he said. “They’re paying tuition, buying groceries, paying taxes.” The implication was clear – if these students are contributing like citizens, should they really be punished so harshly for what might be a minor lapse in judgment?
“If I Saw Someone Steal a Snickers, What Would I Do?”
Later in the discussion, a student flipped the question around. “If shoplifting a Snickers is so damaging to our society, what would you do if you saw someone steal one?” he asked, challenging the room. “Would you call the police? Tackle them? Or just ignore it?” Dr. Richards echoed the sentiment: are minor crimes by visa holders truly eroding the moral fabric of American society, or are we simply overreacting?
International Students Share the Weight of Shame
One student from India spoke candidly about the cultural and financial cost of deportation. “My dad paid over $300,000 for me to be here,” he said. “If I get sent back, I not only lose everything, but I bring shame to my family.” Another student added, “It’s better to spend 24 hours in jail and finish your degree than to be deported.”
Not Everyone Was Sympathetic
Despite many expressing empathy, a significant portion of the class felt differently. When Dr. Richards asked who agreed that “a crime is a crime,” over 60 students, mostly men, raised their hands. “You do something wrong, you face the consequences,” one student said. That reaction revealed a clear divide in how justice is perceived, particularly across lines of nationality and gender.
The Parking Ticket Problem
In one especially telling moment, a student shared that someone he knew was deported over an unpaid parking ticket. That’s right – a single, unpaid fine led to a revoked visa. “You’re not holding U.S. citizens to the same standard,” another student pointed out. “Why are we bringing the hammer down on someone contributing to the economy and the classroom for a parking ticket?”
Professor Richards Raises the Big Questions
Throughout the class, Dr. Richards consistently returned to one central question: what is the point of deportation? If students are already in diversion programs, already being held accountable, what is society gaining by sending them home? “We’re losing someone who’s paying taxes, learning, growing,” he said. “Are we replacing them with someone better, or just sending a message?”
The Bigger Picture of Justice
Another student pointed out the double standard of the American legal system. “Our president has 34 convictions and was found liable for sexual assault,” he said. “He pardoned January 6 rioters, but we’re deporting kids over a candy bar?” The room grew quiet. This wasn’t just about law – it was about fairness, integrity, and power.
Are International Students “Guests” or Members of Society?
The label “guest” came up repeatedly, with many pushing back on the idea. “America was built by immigrants,” one student argued. “From the laptops we use to the food we eat, immigrants are at the center of it all.” Dr. Richards agreed, reminding students that undocumented immigrants even commit fewer crimes than U.S. citizens. “Let’s not forget who’s doing the work nobody else wants to do,” he said.
More Than a Classroom Talk
This conversation was more than just a class discussion – it was a window into the cultural crossfire of crime, immigration, and belonging. What struck me most was how even the smallest misstep – a forgotten parking fine, a Snickers bar – can carry devastating consequences for people who have invested everything in their American dream. These aren’t hardened criminals. They’re students, young people, trying to find their place.
Justice Shouldn’t Be Arbitrary
What stood out the most was how inconsistent our punishments are. For some, committing a crime means community service. For others, it means exile. This inconsistency feels less like justice and more like judgment. And if we only apply that judgment to people who weren’t born here, then maybe it’s not about justice at all.
The Conversation We Needed
Dr. Richards closed the class with one final thought: “We want social solidarity. We want people to do what they say they’re going to do.” But when that responsibility isn’t balanced with compassion and context, it stops being about rules and starts being about power. For Penn State students, this class wasn’t just about sociology. It was a mirror – one that forced them to confront the kind of society they want to live in.
And if anything was clear by the end, it’s that a Snickers bar might not be worth a felony, but the debate around it is worth having.
Gary’s love for adventure and preparedness stems from his background as a former Army medic. Having served in remote locations around the world, he knows the importance of being ready for any situation, whether in the wilderness or urban environments. Gary’s practical medical expertise blends with his passion for outdoor survival, making him an expert in both emergency medical care and rugged, off-the-grid living. He writes to equip readers with the skills needed to stay safe and resilient in any scenario.