Universities Collaborate with ICE, Raising Alarm Among Visa-Dependent Students

A number of universities are partnering with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the behest of the Trump administration, which is intensifying its enforcement against undocumented immigrants. These agreements empower local law enforcement, including campus police, to question students about their immigration status, potentially leading to arrests or detentions, and to share this information with ICE.

In Florida alone, over a dozen colleges and universities have signed on to the 287(g) program, which permits local and state authorities to carry out certain federal immigration law enforcement duties. Prominent institutions like Florida State University, Florida Atlantic University, the University of Florida, the University of South Florida, and the University of Central Florida are among those that have formally agreed to collaborate with ICE, following guidance from Governor Ron DeSantis to strengthen these connections.

The partnerships have emerged alongside a trend where immigration enforcement has been particularly aggressive towards students on temporary visas, especially those who attended pro-Palestinian protests or have minor offenses. The upheaval stemming from these policies has left many students fearful and uncertain about their futures, as illustrated by numerous reports of visa revocations—over 600 students have faced this issue according to estimates.

One case highlighted is that of a doctoral student from the University of Alabama, who was detained by ICE and labeled as posing "significant national security concerns." Another graduate student at the University of Michigan lost his visa due to a drunk driving offense. Students are expressing their distress, with some feeling unsafe even in their own homes, fearing the consequences of leaving their apartments for basic needs.