USF and UF Campus Police Collaborate with ICE for Immigration Enforcement Initiatives

Campus police departments at several Florida universities, including the University of Florida (UF) and the University of South Florida (USF), have recently partnered with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) through 287(g) agreements. These agreements grant local law enforcement the authority to receive training in immigration enforcement, aligning their operations more closely with federal immigration policies.

Steve Orlando, a spokesperson for the University of Florida, confirmed the signing of the 287(g) agreement, which positions the university’s law enforcement as part of a broader network of local agencies collaborating with ICE. Reports indicate that Florida Atlantic University has also entered into a similar agreement, and USF is on track to join this initiative, as detailed by the university’s student newspaper, The Oracle. Under the direction of Governor Ron DeSantis, it is anticipated that all law enforcement agencies within Florida, including those on university campuses, will be encouraged to partake in the program.

The announcement of these agreements has coincided with rising tensions on campus, particularly following the detention of a UF student, Felipe Zapata Velásquez, who was apprehended by immigration enforcement officers after a routine police stop for driving with a suspended license. Reports suggest that Velásquez was taken to several processing facilities before opting to self-deport to Colombia. He had been studying food and resource economics at UF with an F-1 student visa and was in the process of updating his immigration status after transferring from Santa Fe College.

In response to these developments, a significant demonstration took place at UF, where students gathered to advocate for increased protections for immigrant students. Protesters, representing groups such as the Young Democratic Socialists of America, articulated demands for expanded immigration services and better legal support for students navigating their immigration status. They expressed concerns over the potential for law enforcement actions to inadvertently place students in jeopardy of ICE involvement for minor infractions.

Despite the protest and heightened alertness surrounding these immigration enforcement initiatives, university and state officials have remained relatively tight-lipped. Inquiries directed towards the Board of Governors regarding student visa revocations in Florida have yet to elicit response, specifically concerning the impact of the new policing policies on international students.

As the national discourse on immigration enforcement intensifies, universities in Florida and beyond are finding themselves at a critical juncture. Their choices in navigating these complex issues may have significant implications for their student populations, particularly those identified as international students. This situation underscores the growing intersection of state policy, law enforcement, and higher education in a climate of increased scrutiny regarding immigration practices.

This is an evolving situation, and updates regarding the impact of these agreements and campus safety measures for immigrant students are expected as investigations continue.