OPINION: Debates and controversies surrounding the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency are currently permeating the entire country. After the unjustified killing of Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, calls for the abolishment and/or reformation of ICE are at an all time high. People, even natural born citizens of the United States, are scared that they could be the next target of an angry agent with a gun. ICE, an agency created to ideally make people feel safe, is not doing that and has not been doing that for a very long time. ICE in its current form has been working to perpetuate oppression and discrimination, targeting BIPOC communities indiscriminately regardless of citizenship status.
ICE is not a symbol of protection, it is a symbol of fear. The safety of communities is threatened by their presence, not strengthened. Because of the recent violence inspired and perpetuated by ICE against both immigrants and citizens alike, I do not believe the University of Maine community can be safe with ICE in its presence. UMaine has a diverse population with a large proportion of international students, especially in its Graduate programs. While the University as a public space doesn’t have the right to keep ICE off-campus altogether, there are certainly things they can do to mitigate harm and presence.
It is unfortunately true that the University risks a lot by threatening the current administration in any way. We’ve already seen insane amounts of research money pulled from us, not even because of the University’s own actions but those of Governor Mills. By Mills’ standing up for the state, UMaine got caught in the crossfire. Therefore, it makes sense to assume that any direct action taken by the institution can threaten our status even more. We are at the whims of a petty tyrant king. This is why I understand any hesitancy to act by University administration. They are in the impossible position of having to protect students while also ensuring there is still a school for these students to attend. This is why I think some tasks, like setting up an ICE alert system for students, are simply not a feasible demand.
However, transparency around what spaces are considered enterable without a warrant and what spaces are private is important. This is one of the biggest things that I think students want to know. However, by making this list The University risks putting targets on spaces like classrooms that shift in and out of public and private designation. It could essentially create ICE traps—agents waiting outside of classrooms for students to exit or for the private window to end. This would create the inverse desired effect.
One of the biggest problems that students are concerned about is the presence of Customs and Border Patrol at the Career Fair in February. They are planning to promote hiring for ICE. This agency should not be invited openly to campus, even if they signed up themselves. This creates an unsafe environment for UMaine’s diverse community. CBP should not be welcomed here. If the Career Fair continues with their presence, I encourage joining the boycott of the event arranged by the progressive organizations on campus.
