ALLENDALE, MI - Following President Trump's executive order placing a temporary ban on immigration from seven predominately Muslim countries, some students at Grand Valley State University want their campus declared a safe space for international students.

A group of about 30 students held anti-Trump signs and chanted outside the Cook Carillon Bell Tower before marching inside the university's Kirkof Student Center, where they staged a sit-in Tuesday, Jan. 31.

It was just the latest demonstration in West Michigan since Trump signed the executive order.

Last week, residents and activists filled the Blue Bridge in downtown Grand Rapids to protest the immigration policies expected from the administration.

Hundreds gathered outside the Gerald R. Ford International Airport on Sunday, Jan. 29, to protest just two days after Trump signed the order.

Occupying most of a wide hallway inside the Kirkof Student Center's main corridor, students shouted phrases such as "No Trump, No KKK, No fascist USA," and "Sanctuary campus, immigrants are welcome here."

Among them was junior Megan Bardenhagen, who said since Trump's election she has made it a personal priority to stand up for minorities and other marginalized groups on her campus and in her community.

"I've been outraged by the recent events during Trump's presidency," Bardenhagen said. "It's important for us to take a stand against these actions that are oppressive by nature. He was elected on white supremacist values. In order to reshape those values we need to start talking to one another and have conversations like this."

The protest was inspired, in part, by a statement released from University President Thomas J. Haas regarding the school's stance on complying with Trump's executive order on immigration relative to student privacy rights.

"The university does not release any private student information or records. They are protected under FERPA -- the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act," Haas' statement read. "Grand Valley complies with federal requirements to operate and manage international programs. The university has a long history of welcoming students and scholars without regard for their immigration status and that practice will continue. Central to Grand Valley's mission is the value of inclusion, and we will not tolerate discrimination based on religion or race."

For the students gathered inside the Kirkhof Center, that response wasn't good enough.

"We want GVSU to be declared a sanctuary campus," said political science major Lindsey Disler. "I was very disappointed with (Haas') statement. We want the university's action to be concrete, following in the footsteps of other universities."

Last weekend, University of Michigan President Mark Schlissel stated his support for international students. Michigan State University President Lou Anna K. Simon called Trump's executive order on immigration "deeply concerning" in a letter to the MSU campus community the next day.

Transfer student and LGBT activist Beau Vansolkema said the effort to get GVSU declared as a sanctuary campus has been going on since the election last fall.

"This effects everybody," he said. "In November we sent (Haas) a list of demands. We're also trying to get Grand Rapids to be a sanctuary city."

Though the group that she led through her university's halls was small, Bardenhagen is confident that repeated vocalization on issues that matter will grow awareness and cultivate a culture of acceptance rather than exclusion.

"If we had more people joining us, this could have a more significant impact," she said. "We could make a difference."