After a month off for winter break, Minnesota State University students returned to campus to a very different kind of “welcome back” message.
“This isn’t the welcome back message I had planned to write,” MSU President Edward Inch wrote to the campus community Monday. “However, as you may know, the past few weeks have seen a rise in civil unrest due to increased ICE presence and enforcement in our state. Last week, in Minneapolis, this escalation led to the tragic death of a young woman. We also know that ICE has been seen more locally, with reports in St. Peter, Mankato, and nearby communities. Increased ICE activity has caused fear, tension, and concern for some in our community. Especially for our international students and immigrant faculty, staff, and students, these worries feel very personal.”
Inch’s message comes as agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement have ramped up activity across the state. While most attention has been on Minneapolis, where an ICE agent shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Good Wednesday, there have been reports of ICE activity across southern Minnesota as well, including Mankato.
Inch’s message seems to acknowledge that students will likely see ICE agents at work, possibly even on campus.
It wouldn’t be the first time MSU has dealt with federal agents. Last March federal agents detained student Mohammed Hoque following the termination of his student visa. Hoque maintained his detention was retaliation for social media posts he made supporting Palestinian human rights. He was released in May.
Inch’s message said the university is concerned about students’ well being, and said they still plan to provide a safe campus environment for all.
“I recognize the emotional toll this moment is taking for many within our campus community,” he said. “Please know that we will keep monitoring conditions closely, stay in communication with system partners and elected officials, and continue to update our campus community.”
Inch’s message also mentioned three Career Development Center activities planned for January and February involving law enforcement agencies. Included among them is a Jan. 26 visit by “U.S. Customs & Border Protection.”
You can reach Robb at (507) 344-6382, or rmurray@mankatofreepress.com.