The Trump administration has expanded the power ofICE to include operations on university campuses, sparking concerns about the potential for immigration raids at Hamline.
“Criminals will no longer be able to hide in America’s schools and churches to avoid arrest,” a Department for Homeland Security spokesperson said. “The Trump Administration will not tie the hands of our brave law enforcement, and instead trusts them to use common sense.”
Director of Hamline Public Safety (HPS) Illiana Cantu-Delgado explained via email that while legally required to comply with ICE in certain situations, Hamline’s first priority is supporting students.
“The university is subject to lawful orders such as a judge-issued subpoena, warrant or court order,” Cantu-Delgado said. “Any requests from law enforcement would be carefully reviewed before responding.”
HPS would be the first point of contact for law enforcement in the event of immigration officers arriving on campus and would follow a process grounded in support and resource provision, including immediately notifying appropriate university officials and legal counsel for support.
“The university deeply values its students and is committed to seeking to have Public Safety be the first point of contact for law enforcement, complying with the university’s policies, including complying with [the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)] and directing our students to educational information and legal aid type resources,” Cantu-Delgado said.
Providing resources to those who may be affected by the new administration’s deportation efforts has been a priority across campus at all levels since the semester began. Staff, faculty and resident assistants have been informed on how to respond to such an event and leaflets informing individuals of their rights if stopped by law enforcement were distributed at the Student Organization Fair.
Hamline Unidos, the organization representing Hispanic and Latino students on campus, issued a statement expressing concern for the targeting of immigrants and support for impacted communities.
“We strongly seek to protect the dignity and rights of our immigrant community, a community that has made valuable contributions to our society,” the statement read. “There has been fear, division and exclusion that has been attempted to be instilled among us. We stand in solidarity with our immigrant communities on campus.”
According to the American Immigration Council, 8.7 million United States citizens live with at least one undocumented immigrant in their household. Pervasive rumors and false reports of ICE presence around the Twin Cities have heightened anxiety and risk school attendance decreasing due to fears of raids.
Cantu-Delgado said she had heard concerns from students, especially those who may be directly impacted or have a vulnerable loved one.
“These concerns highlight the importance of clear communication, access to support resources, and creating a campus environment where students can express their concerns and identify resources,” Cantu-Delgado said.
Alarm was raised at Loyola University Chicago on Jan. 31 after unfounded reports online mistakenly identified Census Bureau representatives as ICE agents. Similar rumors on social media have affected businesses in the Twin Cities, particularly those in areas with significant immigrant communities, with business owners reporting customers being driven away due to fear of deportation.
Cantu-Delgado stressed the importance of reporting concerns to relevant offices rather than spreading unverified information.
“False reports can distract Public Safety and other university resources from actual emergencies or events and make it harder to provide effective support when truly needed,” Cantu-Delgado said, explaining that rumors could also create unnecessary fear for communities.
The main message emphasized by HPS was one of support for all students.
“Students who may be impacted should familiarize themselves with Know Your Rights resources and seek legal guidance from trusted organizations. The Dean of Students Office provides access to undocumented student resources, and there are local advocacy groups that can offer assistance,” Cantu-Delgado said. “We believe in the power of education and its benefit to society. While these are uncertain times for many, students should know they are not alone—we are here to support them.”
Anyone who believes they have seen law enforcement officers on campus is urged not to engage directly with them and report it to HPS immediately through their email security@hamline.edu or by phone at (651) 523-2100.
