Community Responds to ICE

The Department of Homeland Security announced a major enforcement action called Operation Metro Surge in early January, with a reported 2,000 to 3,000 U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents being sent to the Twin Cities and other parts of Minnesota.

ICE’s tactics and two resulting civilian deaths have caused both state and nationwide protests, and the St. Joseph and CSB+SJU communities are taking action.

According to a memo that was sent to St. Cloud State students and staff earlier this year, two SCSU international students were detained by ICE.

“One of SCSU’s international students, who is studying here on a student visa, was detained off campus by federal officers and transferred to an out-of-state holding facility. Separately, an additional international student, also here on a student visa, was detained off campus by federal officers and transferred to an out-of-state holding facility. Separately, an additional international student, also here on a student visa, was detained off campus by federal officers and held overnight before being released,” the statement said.

Though SCSU assured students that they were connecting those individuals with the appropriate resources, this has led to larger questions about the safety of students in America on visas.

An international student at CSB+SJU, who chose to remain anonymous out of fear of putting their visa at risk shared their worries.

“I came here because I love what this country has to offer me and how I can build a better future. I did everything right with my visa, but I am still scared,” an anonymous student said. “To us, St. Ben’s and St. John’s are home. It feels like a bubble where nothing bad can happen. It doesn’t feel so safe anymore.”

Effective Jan. 1 of this year, 39 countries are no longer able to obtain US visas, including student visas.

Notably, all countries on this “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States” list are in Africa, central Asia, and the Caribbean.

Director of Multicultural Student Services Malik Stewart said that one of his main concerns is for students who are facing financial or food insecurity because they are afraid to leave their houses.

“Your focus right now should be on being a college student, but that’s not possible for a lot of people right now,” Stewart said. “I’m focused right now on making sure students are aware of their campus resources. As the semester goes on, the elephant in the room is the mental health concern, the toll it takes on us.”

The Multicultural Center (MCC) has been hosting safety planning sessions, including providing students with an extra copy of documentation to keep on their person at all times, as well as organizing food deliveries to families who have not left their houses in the past month.

Stewart said the MCC is dedicated to helping students manage the fear and anxiety of unlawful detainment that has been disrupting their lives.

An international student at CSB+SJU, who chose to remain anonymous out of fear of putting their visa at risk shared their newfound concerns.

“Having to carry around my passport with a valid visa and I-20 everywhere is kind of scary,” an anonymous student said via email. “I know that the second I open my mouth and they hear my accent I’ll be screwed for a little bit. I believe in rules, but I also believe there has to be humanity and fairness in how they’re enforced… I’m just here to study and get a degree.”

The St. Joseph community has rallied around Minnesotan immigrants in different ways, often assisted by CSB+SJU students or affiliated groups.

Political Science professor Pedro dos Santos led a petition for administration to cancel classes on Friday, Jan. 23 in observance of the Day of Truth and Justice, and 226 people signed this petition.

Dos Santos said that he felt compelled to activism now more than ever.

“For my ability to sleep at night, I have to do less of my normal, and more for my community,” dos Santos said. “For many people this is an abstraction; for me this is real.”

Minnesota Street Market, Flour and Flower and other local businesses have published statements in support of immigrants following the closure of Mexican restaurant Tacoholic on the corner of Minnesota Street and College Ave S. due to fears of employee safety with ICE presence in the area.

Dos Santos said that these are all great steps, but there is much more work to be done.

He urged students to seek out resources and ask how they can help community members in need.

Education professor Alicia Peters led the education club in creating science, art, and literacy kits for distribution to drop off in three different communities in the area.

Peters said that the current climate in Minnesota reminded her of a similar instance back in 2001 in Cold Spring when she had just begun teaching, and that students needed the extra love and support from teachers then, and that is what they need now.

“I started reaching out to people I knew in the Cold Spring area who still teach there and finding out what’s going on with the kids and how I can help,” Peters said. “So, they talked about needing something educational for the kids, and I said, ‘Well, I can do that. That’s my jam.’”

Despite classes being cancelled on Jan. 23 due to the freezing temperatures, students braved the cold and lined the intersection of Minnesota Street and College Ave S. with posters and homemade signs protesting ICE detainments.

Stewart said he is grateful to see that people are exercising their first amendment right to free speech.

“It doesn’t matter your immigration status, if you’re in the U.S. you are protected by the Constitution ­ — or you should be,” Stewart said.