Since President Donald Trump took office, Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) has been allowed to access determined “sensitive” areas, such as K-12 schools and colleges. Students and faculty have expressed fear and anxiety over getting arrested by ICE, even if they have legal papers.
On February 19, it was confirmed by Towson University’s Young Democratic Socialists of America that Homeland Security is planning to attend their Career Fair on March 7. A petition was published that demands ICE to be removed as a vendor at the fair, keep ICE off their campus, Clear guidelines to protect students, and declare Towson as a sanctuary campus.
Sarah Sternhagen, an Editor in Chief for the Tower Light, in the article “Latin Student Association Petitions Towson to Remove ICE from Career Fair,” explains, “LASO said it opposes ICE’s presence because it has militarized border communities, criminalized immigration, and had begun mass incarcerations as it deports immigrants.”
Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s ICE was a part of Towson’s Career Fair last year. They have been a part of the career fair and its programs for 24 years.
After a student protest at Towson University on February 27, Homeland Security dropped out of the Career Fair. However, they are still on patrol in public and private communities in the Towson area, which includes Goucher College.
Goucher College’s Office of Equity and Inclusive Excellence sent an email to Goucher students, faculty and staff about Goucher’s new Policy on Immigration Enforcement Actions on Campus on March 24. The new policy updates clear guidelines for students and employees to follow in a possible event where they have to encounter immigration and law enforcement officials on campus.
“Goucher will balance its commitment to support students, employees, and other community members while also meeting legal obligations related to federal immigration law and student and employee privacy,” according to the updated policy statements. The policy confirmed that Goucher will comply with requests for information about all students, including international students, through its F and J visa sponsorship programs.
Karen Sykes, the director of International Student and Scholar Services, acknowledged that Goucher students and faculty feel scared over the thought of law enforcement agencies coming to campus with the intention to arrest their close friends. Sykes explains that Goucher College will show support by having the Office of Global Education and Office of Equity and Inclusive Excellence collaborate with information sessions for international, transgender and other groups that are related to documentation or immigration status.
“We understand that they are a source of anxiety for many in our community, and we are taking steps to inform and support our international students through information sessions and individual appointments.” Sykes ensured that the safety and comfort of all students will be the Office of Equity and Inclusive Excellence’s top priority.
“Goucher College will continue to work collectively with our fellow colleges and universities to advocate on behalf of our international students.” President Kent Devereaux announced via email that the college joined 85 other liberal arts colleges and universities to sign an amicus brief document to oppose the U.S. administration’s plan to revoke visas, detaining, and deporting international students. The email was sent on April 10 with a subject titled, Presidents Alliance on Higher Education & Immigration Amicus Brief.
By Kristen Wheeler, ’25
