RALEIGH, N.C. — The fight to protect Luis, a longtime Duke University bus driver facing the loss of his legal immigration status, has become a rallying point across Durham and beyond. Supporters say his story is emblematic of the uncertainty facing more than 20,000 North Carolinians who hold Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or other fragile legal protections — and who now find themselves at risk of losing the right to work and remain in the United States.
A Beloved Community Figure
Luis has worked at Duke for nearly two decades, safely transporting thousands of students and staff, and becoming known for his kindness and presence on the popular C1 “party bus.” Last week, more than fifty Duke students gathered to demand that elected officials intervene after his protected status and work permit were suddenly revoked. The room was filled with what one organizer called “love, fear, and tears.”
“Luis is the face of over 20,000 other North Carolinians who are currently legally documented, but are at risk of losing their protected status,” the NC Progressive House Caucus said in a statement. “Hardworking, kind members of our community are under attack just because of where they came from.”
National Policy, Local Impact
The Trump administration has taken a harder line on Temporary Protected Status, a humanitarian program that allows migrants from certain countries to live and work legally in the United States. While federal officials argue the program was never intended to provide permanent residency, immigrant advocates stress that TPS holders have built deep roots in communities like Durham — buying homes, raising families, and contributing to the local economy.
In North Carolina, an estimated 20,000 people rely on these protections. The revocation of Luis’s status, advocates say, could set a dangerous precedent and destabilize communities across the state.
Students and Lawmakers Speak Out
Luis’s case has galvanized students, faculty, and immigrant rights groups. Dozens of students stood shoulder to shoulder at Duke, carrying signs and chanting in support of the man many credit with shaping their campus experience. “He made so many days better, and touched the hearts of hundreds of students,” one student told The Bull City Citizen.
The NC Progressive House Caucus joined the chorus, calling on congressional representatives to advocate on his behalf and for broader protections for immigrants like him. “We have said, time and time again, that these immigration policies are not about safety,” their statement continued. “Upending the lives and families of legal, documented immigrants is not public safety.”
A Broader Debate
The case has also reopened debate about immigration enforcement in Durham and across the state. Local officials, including Sheriff Clarence Birkhead, have repeatedly affirmed that Durham does not participate in Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids, emphasizing the county’s commitment to being “welcoming and open.” But federal decisions can quickly override local policies, leaving many immigrants vulnerable.
Advocacy organizations such as Siembra NC and the North Carolina Justice Center are now working with students and community leaders to elevate Luis’s story nationally. The hope, they say, is to not only protect one man but to force policymakers to confront the human cost of ending protections for thousands of North Carolinians.
What Comes Next
For now, Luis remains in limbo. Unless federal officials intervene, his ability to work and remain in the U.S. legally could vanish in days. Students and lawmakers are pressing for urgent action, with rallies, petitions, and outreach to legislators already underway.
The outcome may ultimately depend on Congress or the courts, but for Durham, Luis’s fight is already reshaping the conversation about what it means to be a sanctuary for families who have long called North Carolina home.
Editor’s Note: The Bull City Citizen will continue following Luis’s case and the broader debate over immigration policy in Durham and across North Carolina. To share your perspective or learn how to get involved, visit us online — your voice is essential in shaping the future of our community.
