An international graduate student at the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities was detained Thursday by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a situation the U described as “deeply concerning.”
In an email to students Friday, U officials said the student, who was not identified, was detained at an off-campus residence. No other details about the circumstances were immediately available.
“We are actively working to gather more details about this incident,” U officials said in the email. “The University had no prior knowledge of this incident and did not share any information with federal authorities before it occurred.”
ICE agents have reportedly detained numerous international students with legal status in the United States at universities across the country without filing criminal charges, raising alarm over free speech rights.
Not long after the U announced the detainment Friday, several elected officials expressed their concern.
In a statement, Minneapolis City Council Member Robin Wonsley, who represents the university campus, said she was “deeply saddened and disturbed.”
“This frightening reality underscores the need for the city of Minneapolis, University of Minnesota, and all local governments to clearly and unambiguously condemn the Trump administration’s cruel and racist attacks, and invest resources into protecting vulnerable residents,” she said.
DFL state Sen. Doron Clark, who was elected in January to represent the university area, said on social media that he was “saddened and angered that ICE is operating around the University of Minnesota.”