BUZZ
Key Takeaways
- ICE withdrew from an ASU Law School event after a petition with 650 signatures protested its participation.
- The petition was initiated by the National Lawyers Guild and supported by various student organizations, emphasizing concerns for immigrant students and marginalized communities.
- ASU Law School Dean stated the school's commitment to providing opportunities for all students while allowing employers to decide their participation.
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement withdrew from participating in an Arizona State University Law School event set for Thursday following a student-led petition.
ICE had planned to host a table at the Government and Public Interest Table Talks event until 650 people signed a petition to protest the federal law enforcement agency’s participation, according to The State Press.
Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law Dean Stacy Leeds sent an email to the school’s students on Jan. 21, notifying them that ICE had backed out of the event. She also told students the school does not discriminate against government agencies.
“Employers independently decide whether to participate in any given event, just as students decide which employers they wish to engage with,” Leeds stated.
“Our goal remains to ensure that all JD students have access to information and opportunities that allow them to make informed, individual decisions about their career paths, while maintaining compliance with applicable laws and supporting a wide range of professional interests,” she stated.
The law school hosts the event every year to give students an opportunity to meet employers.
The National Lawyers Guild created the petition after NLG officer and law student Koby Preston noticed ICE listed as a participant in the event.
The petition also received endorsements from key student organizations at ASU, including the Native American Law Student Association and the Chicano/Latino Law Students Association.
ASU groups such as Students for Justice in Palestine, Planned Parenthood Generation Action, and the Young Democratic Socialists of America promoted the petition on social media.
In an Instagram post celebrating the move, NLG wrote, “This moment underscores a shared commitment to ensuring that ASU Law remains a place where all students—especially immigrant students, students of color, and those with impacted families—can learn, participate, and pursue public service without fear.”
United Campus Workers Arizona had planned to protest ICE on campus Thursday, but canceled its plans the day before.
The group stated on Instagram, “ASU administration says they did not turn ICE away, but protests and pressure from the community affected the Office of the Principal Legal Investigator’s decision.”
ASU students aren’t alone in their outrage over the possibility of ICE on campus.
University of Washington community members were recently thrown into a panic over unverified rumors that ICE agents might be on their grounds, The College Fix previously reported.
The rumors originated from unofficial campus communications and social media, stemming from a misinterpreted comment during a meeting.
Some sororities and groups sent out safety alerts based on the misunderstanding, amplifying concerns across social media and the community.
MORE: New Virginia AG moves to defend in-state tuition for illegal immigrants
