Student Activism and the Call to Remove DHS/ICE Partnerships from CUNY Campuses
For decades, college campuses have served as hubs for political discourse, social movements, and demands for institutional accountability. At the City University of New York (CUNY), one of the nation’s largest urban public university systems, students are leading a bold campaign with a clear message: DHS/ICE, Border Patrol: Out of CUNY Now! This movement, rooted in concerns over immigration enforcement and academic freedom, highlights the growing tension between universities and federal agencies tasked with policing borders.
The Backstory: CUNY’s Ties to DHS and Border Patrol
CUNY’s connection to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its sub-agencies, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the U.S. Border Patrol, stems from partnerships aimed at recruitment and training programs. For example, CUNY schools like John Jay College of Criminal Justice have hosted career fairs and workshops where DHS and Border Patrol agencies actively recruit students for internships and jobs. Proponents argue these opportunities prepare students for careers in law enforcement and national security.
However, critics view these ties as a direct contradiction to CUNY’s mission as a “public university dedicated to the service of New Yorkers.” Many students, faculty, and advocacy groups argue that collaborating with agencies responsible for deportations, family separations, and surveillance undermines the university’s commitment to inclusivity—especially given that nearly 40% of CUNY students are immigrants or children of immigrants.
Why Students Are Protesting
The movement gained momentum in 2023 when student organizations like CUNY for Abolition and Safety and Freedom for All (SAFA) began organizing rallies, walkouts, and petitions. Their demands include:
1. Terminating all contracts, recruitment programs, and training partnerships with DHS, ICE, and Border Patrol.
2. Divesting university resources from companies profiting from immigration detention.
3. Adopting policies to protect undocumented students from surveillance.
Protesters emphasize that CUNY’s collaboration with these agencies creates a hostile environment for immigrant communities. “How can we feel safe attending classes when the same institution that educates us is inviting agencies that terrorize our families?” asked María, a Queens College student and DACA recipient who requested anonymity.
The Administration’s Response
CUNY administrators have acknowledged the concerns but stopped short of ending partnerships. In a recent statement, the university emphasized its “obligation to provide diverse career pathways” while reaffirming its support for undocumented students. This balancing act has satisfied few. Critics argue that CUNY cannot simultaneously claim to protect immigrants while maintaining ties to agencies that target them.
The debate also raises questions about the role of public universities in legitimizing federal policies. For instance, CUNY Law School’s Human Rights and Immigration Law Clinic provides free legal aid to asylum seekers—a stark contrast to John Jay’s collaboration with Border Patrol. Students argue such contradictions reveal a system prioritizing financial and political interests over ethical consistency.
A National Conversation on Campus Complicity
CUNY’s struggle is part of a broader national reckoning. Universities across the U.S., including UCLA and the University of Chicago, have faced similar demands to cut ties with ICE and Border Patrol. These movements often frame campus partnerships as forms of institutional complicity in human rights violations.
Opponents of the protests, however, argue that severing ties with federal agencies could limit career opportunities for students interested in law enforcement. “These jobs are vital for public safety,” said one John Jay alumnus working with Border Patrol. “Campuses should remain neutral spaces for professional development.”
But student activists counter that neutrality is impossible when policies disproportionately harm marginalized communities. “There’s nothing neutral about inviting Border Patrol to recruit on campus,” said Javier, a member of CUNY for Abolition. “It’s a political choice that aligns the university with state violence.”
The Power of Student Organizing
Historically, student-led movements have driven significant policy changes at CUNY. In the 1960s and ’70s, protests forced the university to adopt Open Admissions, dramatically increasing access for Black, Latino, and low-income students. Today’s activists aim to build on that legacy.
Their tactics—from disrupting board meetings to circulating viral social media campaigns—reflect a generation deeply critical of systemic injustice. “This isn’t just about CUNY,” explained Aisha, an organizer with SAFA. “It’s about redefining what safety means. Real safety comes from housing, healthcare, and education—not from policing or deportations.”
What’s Next for CUNY?
The pressure on CUNY’s administration is escalating. In April 2024, the University Student Senate passed a resolution supporting the campaign, and faculty unions have begun endorsing the cause. Meanwhile, grassroots coalitions are partnering with off-campus advocacy groups like the New York Immigration Coalition to amplify their demands.
Yet significant hurdles remain. Defenders of the partnerships argue that federal funding and accreditation standards could be at risk if CUNY severs ties abruptly. Others worry about legal repercussions, given DHS’s role in campus security protocols.
Student organizers remain undeterred. “We’re not asking for compromises,” said María. “We’re demanding a university that truly serves its community—not agencies that criminalize it.”
A Microcosm of a Larger Fight
The DHS/ICE, Border Patrol: Out of CUNY Now! movement reflects a generational shift in how young people perceive justice and institutional responsibility. For many, the fight isn’t just about removing a few recruiters from career fairs—it’s about challenging systems that normalize inequality.
As debates over policing, immigration, and education collide, CUNY’s choices will resonate far beyond its campuses. Whether the university listens to its students may determine not only its moral standing but its role in shaping a more equitable future.
In the words of Javier: “Education should liberate, not collaborate with oppression.” For activists, that vision is non-negotiable.
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