The University of Minnesota will comply with federal court orders when it comes to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) requests, a University spokesperson said.
“Immigration laws are complex, and the ways in which the federal government enforces them varies. Given that, how the University responds would depend on the specifics of each situation,” University spokesperson Jake Ricker said in an email statement. “While the University does not have responsibility or an active role in federal officials enforcing federal law or court processes, as a public university and employer, we cannot ignore federal court orders or subpoenas.”
Under former President Joe Biden’s administration, ICE officers avoided carrying out enforcement orders in “sensitive areas” such as churches and schools. However, President Donald Trump rescinded that order on Jan. 21.
“Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest. The Trump Administration will not tie the hands of our brave law enforcement, and instead trusts them to use common sense,” a Jan. 21 Department of Homeland Security statement said.
The Trump administration is aiming for at least 75 arrests per day for each ICE field office, including the one in St. Paul.
The University’s ability to fight a federal court subpoena or warrant is limited as there is an extent to which places do have to comply, Wilson Law Group immigration attorney Katherine Santamaria said.
“These so-called sensitive areas have been kind of off-limits for ICE. Typically, what they would do is wait outside school parking lots or outside hospitals,” Santamaria said. “Now, they’ve been giving broader authority to be able to enter these locations.”
However, Minneapolis officials have announced that they will not be cooperating with ICE.
“In Minneapolis, we have what is called a separation ordinance. And that separation ordinance states clearly that our city officials, police officers and beyond will not be gathering information showing who is or isn’t documented,” Mayor Jacob Frey said at a Tuesday press conference. “As for cooperation with ICE, the answer is no.”
Santamaria said students should get their Minnesota driver’s license so that they always have a valid form of identification on them. For students arrested by ICE officers, they should remain silent and contact an attorney.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
