U of M grad student detained by ICE

In a letter to students, faculty, and staff, University of Minnesota President Rebecca Cunningham shared details of what she called a “deeply concerning situation” involving an international graduate student.

“We learned that, on March 27 at an off-campus residence, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials detained a graduate student on our Twin Cities campus,” said President Cunningham. “We are actively working to gather more details about this incident.”

In cases like this, the University says they take steps to ensure students are connected to resources and support, like Student Legal Services and International Student and Scholar Services.

The U says they had no prior knowledge of the incident, and did not share any information with federal authorities before the incident happened.

“It is important to note that our campus departments of public safety, including UMPD, do not enforce federal immigration laws, and our officers do not inquire about an individual’s immigration status. Their focus remains on public safety, fostering trust, and maintaining strong relationships across the University community.”

In her letter, President Cunningham acknowledged how distressing this news may be for the University community.

If you or someone you know needs mental health support, resources are available across all five University of Minnesota campuses.