BUZZ
Lewis University officials canceled all in-person classes this week at a satellite campus after learning ICE would be renting space inside the same building.
The Catholic university is primarily based in Romeoville but operates several nursing programs and graduate business programs in Oak Brook, a western suburb of Chicago.
In a show of solidarity, and due to concerns about protests disrupting classes, the school moved classes online. The landlord of the office building confirmed ICE would be renting space.
The university announced:
Lewis University was recently alerted that the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) is leasing office space within the building where we operate our Oak Brook location at 1111 W. 22nd Street, Oak Brook, Illinois, and that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is utilizing space for its administrative offices. Lewis is one of several tenants in the property and does not have control over leasing decisions involving other occupants.
In light of social media attention referencing the potential for protests at the site, and the community’s concerns regarding ICE, we are taking precautionary steps to support a safe, productive, and welcoming learning environment for all.
The university said it “remains committed to fostering a respectful, supportive, and inclusive environment for all members of our community.”
Provost Christopher Sindt gave further comments to ABC 7, explaining how the school found out ICE might be operating in the same space.
“Most notably, this weekend, there were many SUV vehicles parked on the campus or in the parking structure for the campus,” the provost said. “So, I think that was what brought most of our attention to the topic.”
Reportedly 500 students attend classes at the Oak Brook location.
“We felt like it was a really volatile, potentially volatile environment this week for our students to attend class,” Sindt said.
ICE operates a detention facility about six miles away from the Oak Brook office, ABC 7 noted in its report.
Activists have consistently opposed immigration enforcement in Chicago and in Illinois in general.
Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security lists arrestees in the Land of Lincoln, including rapists, pedophiles, and drug traffickers.
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