On January 21st, 2025, the Trump administration launched an immigration crackdown that included several federal agencies. Immigration and Customs Enforcement have targeted immigrant communities across the country in a series of increasingly xenophobic and racist actions. This barrage of violent and cruel immigration policies is the first step in fulfilling Trump’s promise of a mass deportation operation.

The Trump administration has reversed guidance that restricted two federal agencies - Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection - from carrying out deportation in sensitive locations. These include churches and schools. Universities, such as Penn State, are no longer off-limits for immigration enforcement operations¹. In a flagrant violation of basic human rights, the Trump administration's recent passage of the "Laken Riley Act" mandates federal detention for undocumented people who have merely been accused of committing petty crimes like theft or other crimes, which opens the door for using false accusations to place people in federal detention².

As we observe the operations of the despicable, racist, anti-immigrant forces that have been accelerated across the country and in our region, we must remember: we should always strive to share only verified information about the movements of ICE in our communities and resist the urge to spread potentially false or misleading information that can harm undocumented communities. Keeping this principle in mind, it appears to many that it is only a matter of time before the far-right deportation campaign reaches State College in a serious way.

Trump’s deportation campaign directly threatens Penn State students, faculty, and staff. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in major cities across Pennsylvania are currently targeting immigrant communities. We refuse to wait until the moment when ICE intensely ramps up its ongoing operations in Centre County before taking action to defend our communities and spaces, such as Penn State campus³.

The University Administration of Penn State is fully empowered to protect undocumented and International student, faculty, and staff. The Administration absolutely can stand up to ICE and the xenophobic Trump administration. We, the students and community of State College, as well as people of conscience from around the country, demand the following:

1. We demand that the Penn State Administration deny Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on Penn State’s campus and refuse to share information with or otherwise collaborate with ICE in any way.
2. We demand that the Penn State Administration outline relevant strategies and policies to protect undocumented and International students, faculty, and staff.
3. We demand that the Penn State Administration make a public statement condemning the Trump administration's practice of spreading of false and misleading anti-immigrant propaganda and disinformation. In this statement, the Penn State Administration must acknowledge that such racist, rhetorical practices place Penn State students in harms way and are not in line with Penn State's values, mission, or policies and procedures.

We need your help to demand that Penn State uphold its commitments to undocumented and International students and immigrant staff. We know that PSU has the resources, platform, and both legal and moral obligations to ensure that every PSU student, staff member, and family have the opportunity to thrive without fear of deportation. PSU must take immediate and decisive action to protect, defend, and advance the rights of our immigrant students and communities. By standing up to ICE and committing to protect undocumented and International students, Penn State has the opportunity to be a leader in protecting human rights and ensuring that all people - regardless of their immigration status - can live in safety.

We are stronger together. Let us join together to oppose anti-immigrant racism and xenophobia.

Dare to struggle, dare to win!

Sources
1. https://www.dhs.gov/news/2025/01/23/statement-dhs-spokesperson-directive-expanding-immigration-law-enforcement

2. https://www.dhs.gov/news/2025/01/29/president-trump-signs-laken-riley-act-law

3. https://www.theprogressnews.com/news/local/moshannon-valley-correctional-facility-to-reopen/article_4091d4cb-9912-5d30-a05e-48d44affffe8.html. In 2021, the Moshannon Valley Processing center, located in Phillipsburg, reopened as an ICE detention facility.