Importance Score: 65 / 100 š“
University of Minnesota Student Detained by Immigration Agents
A graduate student at the University of Minnesota was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers on Thursday at an off-campus residence, according to a statement released by the university. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has been contacted for information regarding the student detention.
University Expresses Deep Concern Over Student’s Detention
In a statement issued Friday, University President Rebecca Cunningham, along with Vice President for Student Affairs Calvin Phillips and Vice President for Equity and Diversity Mercedes RamĆrez FernĆ”ndez, described the situation as “deeply concerning.” The university confirmed that the affected individual is an international student enrolled at the Twin Cities campus.
Limited Details Available
The university administration stated that they currently possess no further details or additional information regarding the immigration detention. They also clarified that they had no prior notification of the planned action by federal agents and did not share any student information with authorities beforehand.
Student Identity and Immigration Status Unknown
The University of Minnesota has not publicly identified the student. Details regarding the student’s nationality, visa category, and current immigration status remain undisclosed.
Government Agencies Silent
As of Saturday evening, neither ICE nor the Department of Homeland Security had responded to requests for comment on the student detention case.
University Police Role Clarified
āIt is important to emphasize that our campus public safety departments, including UMPD, do not engage in the enforcement of federal immigration laws. Our officers do not inquire about an individualās immigration status,ā the UMN statement asserted. āTheir primary focus remains on ensuring public safety, building trust, and maintaining strong community relationships across the University.”
Minnesota Governor and Minneapolis Mayor React
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced on Friday that he had contacted DHS seeking additional information and pledged to share updates as they become available.
āThe University of Minnesota is a global destination for higher education and research. We host numerous students studying here on visas, and we are seeking answers,ā Governor Walz stated on social media platform X.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey also expressed concern, labeling the studentās detainment as ādeeply troublingā in a post on X.
āEducational settings must be environments where all students can concentrate on learning and development without apprehension,ā Mayor Frey added.
Recent Arrests of International Students at U.S. Universities
This recent arrest follows a series of similar incidents involving international students at American universities.
Columbia University Student Case
Earlier this month, Mahmoud Khalil, a graduate student at Columbia University and a prominent figure in student protests last spring, was apprehended by federal immigration agents. He was informed that his student visa was being revoked.
Khalil, a legal permanent resident, faced accusations of supporting Hamas, a designated terrorist organization. His legal representative refuted these claims, asserting a lack of evidence to support any provision of aid to a terrorist group.
Currently, Khalil is in federal custody in Louisiana. A U.S. District Judge issued a ruling to prevent his deportation “to preserve the courtās jurisdiction” while reviewing a filing challenging his arrest and impending deportation.
Tufts University Student Arrest
Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish national and graduate student at Tufts University, was also arrested by federal immigration authorities on Tuesday. Her attorney stated she possessed a valid student visa. Video footage captured her arrest as she was reportedly en route to meet friends for iftar, the meal breaking the Ramadan fast observed by Muslims.
A court order on Friday temporarily halted Ozturkās deportation pending U.S. District Judge Denise Casperās determination of jurisdiction over the case.
Other Recent Detentions
This week also saw the detention of Alireza Doroudi, an Iranian doctoral student at the University of Alabama, and Kseniia Petrova, a Russian medical researcher at Harvard University, by immigration enforcement.