Last week, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers were spotted recruiting on the University of North Florida campus.\u00a0<\/p>\n
On Tuesday, Jan. 20, a user on the UNF Reddit page<\/a> posted a photo of two officers between Building 2, Founders Hall and Building 4, Skinner-Jones Hall. Reddit moderators have since removed the post, sparking a polarizing debate in its replies.<\/p>\n Under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), CBP and Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) are primarily responsible for the enforcement<\/a> of immigration law.\u00a0<\/p>\n Due to recent fatal shootings<\/a> involving both CBP and ICE agents, UNF professors expressed frustration with CBP\u2019s presence on campus and explained their hesitancy in speaking out.\u00a0<\/p>\n A UNF spokesperson responded to pushback over CBP\u2019s recruitment, explaining that the agency has been recruiting on campus \u201csince 2018\u201d.<\/p>\n Professors Speak Out<\/p>\n According to sociology professor David Jaffee, while ICE is an agency tasked with domestic interior immigration violations and CBP is responsible for border security, both agencies are \u201ceffectively one and the same\u201d.<\/p>\n \u201c[T]hey are both engaged in aggressive, violent and unconstitutional raids on undocumented immigrants and citizens alike.\u201d<\/p>\n Jaffee referred to the recent shootings in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and denounced CBP and ICE on campus.<\/p>\n \u201cI am personally opposed to having recruitment for either agency on a university campus, given the way in which they exercise authority, and I would hope that universities would consider the wisdom of having them recruit students on our campus.\u201d<\/p>\n Jaffee suggests CBP has turned to campus recruitments due to \u201cdeclining public support\u201d.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cMost reports I have read indicate minimal training or screening of recruits,\u201d said Jaffee. \u201cI do not think working with either agency would enhance a student\u2019s career prospects.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n UNF Faculty Association (FA) President James Beasley shared that the UNF FA recently drafted a resolution calling for UNF to withdraw from its 287(g) agreement with ICE.\u00a0<\/p>\n Installed in July 2025, the 287(g) agreement<\/a> established that the UNFPD would be trained to administer federal immigration enforcement.<\/p>\n Beasley shared that the killing of Renee Good on Jan. 7 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, prompted the FA to consider the implications of allowing ICE, or a similar agency like CBP, on campus.<\/p>\n \u201cSubsequent to\u00a0 [Good\u2019s] death, the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement has issued several statements that constitute a danger to the faculty, students, and staff of UNF, including the complete immunity of ICE officers from actions resulting in the death of those legally protesting ICE presence,\u201d said Beasley.<\/p>\n On campus, students have held multiple rallies<\/a> and demonstrations<\/a> to protest ICE and CBP on campus in an effort to dismantle the agreement.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThis agreement creates an unsafe environment for the protection of free expression on the UNF campus,\u201d said Beasley.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cFor all of these reasons, we call on UNF leadership to denounce these actions by withdrawing from these agreements with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n While some professors feel they are in a position to speak out about these DHS agencies on campus, non-tenured faculty members fear the repercussions of doing so.<\/p>\n A UNF professor decided to remain anonymous when speaking on the matter.<\/p>\n \u201cAs a non-tenured faculty member, it\u2019s good for my career to abstain from commenting publicly on this issue,\u201d said the UNF professor. \u201cIt\u2019s a shame I fear reprisal for speaking freely, but that\u2019s the state of the state of Florida.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n University Input<\/p>\n A UNF spokesperson revealed that employers such as CBP and ICE must register in advance for on-campus recruiting events, according to the spokesperson.\u00a0<\/p>\n They also confirmed that ICE was not present on campus last Tuesday.<\/p>\n \u201cImmigration & Customs Enforcement has never attended recruiting events at UNF and has not signed up for future events,\u201d said the spokesperson.<\/p>\n ___<\/p>\n For more information or news tips, or if you see an error in this story or have any compliments or concerns, contact [email\u00a0protected]<\/a>.<\/p>\n