Florida faculty urge campus police to sever connections with ICE.
Faculty members from Florida’s public university system have voiced significant concerns regarding students and staff facing visa revocations, coupled with increased collaboration between campus police and federal immigration enforcement agencies. This alarming situation has prompted the Advisory Council of Faculty Senates, which represents faculty leaders from the state’s twelve public universities, to seek clarity and transparency from state officials regarding these critical issues.
In a formal letter addressed to Chancellor Ray Rodrigues, the council expressed its profound worry over the lack of communication surrounding visa cancellations, highlighting the distressing manner in which students are informed. Rather than receiving notifications directly from federal authorities, many students are instead learning about their visa status through university staff, raising questions about protocol and student support. The council urged state leaders to provide clear guidance on the assistance institutions can offer to those affected.
Accompanying this communication, the council also presented a resolution requesting that campus police departments terminate their cooperative agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The resolution contends that these agreements could jeopardize campus safety and deter international students from seeking critical medical, mental health, and educational resources.
William Trapani, a professor of communications and faculty senate president at Florida Atlantic University, articulated the gravity of the situation, linking it to broader national immigration policies and enforcement practices. Trapani noted the detrimental impact such agreements could have on campus communities and emphasized the council’s expectation for a more proactive response from the Board of Governors regarding uncertainties surrounding visa revocation and student support continuity.
At least ten of Florida’s twelve public universities, including prominent institutions such as the University of Florida and the University of South Florida, have entered agreements with federal immigration authorities, as reported by Inside Higher Ed. This collaboration potentially exacerbates the reluctance of international students to access essential support services, contributing to an atmosphere of fear and uncertainty.
In a recent meeting at Florida International University, police chief Alexander Casas justified the department’s cooperation with ICE, suggesting that collaboration would minimize disruptions caused by external federal enforcement actions. This rationale, however, has been met with skepticism, as educators and advocates warn it fails to address the real human impact on students at risk of wrongful deportation.
As faculty members continue to advocate for clarity and protective measures for vulnerable populations on campus, it remains critical for state leaders to address these pressing issues with the seriousness they warrant.
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