ICE, Border Patrol Immigration Enforcement Now Allowed on College Campuses
Credit: Celal Gunes / Anadolu Agency / Getty Images- Previously, law enforcement agencies like ICE could not carry out raids on college campuses.
- New guidance means these agencies can once again operate within colleges and universities.
- There are an estimated 408,000 undocumented college students in the U.S.
President Donald Trump expanded law enforcement’s ability to carry out immigration enforcement at and near college campuses.
Acting Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Benjamine Huffman rescinded Biden-era guidance shortly after Trump took office, now allowing agencies to carry out enforcement actions in “sensitive” areas. Schools, including colleges and universities, were part of the 2021 definition of protected areas.
Trump’s action affects Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
“Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest,” a DHS spokesperson said in a statement. “The Trump administration will not tie the hands of our brave law enforcement, and instead trusts them to use common sense.”
According to the Higher Ed Immigration Portal, an estimated 408,000 undocumented students are currently enrolled in college. Many of those students (129,000) are not eligible for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA).
In addition to college campuses and schools, ICE and CBP immigration enforcement actions may now also be conducted at locations including:
- Medical or mental health facilities
- Places of worship
- Places where children gather, including playgrounds
- Social services establishments
- Places where disaster or emergency relief is being provided
- Funerals, gravesites, and weddings
- Ongoing parades, demonstrations, and rallies