University Police in Florida Can Now Ask About Immigration Status

University police in Florida can now ask about immigration status.
This was reported by EFE.
Here are the details.

Florida’s public universities have formally begun collaborating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), allowing their campus police departments to act as extensions of federal immigration authorities.

This initiative—the first of its kind in the United States—grants university police the authority to question students about their immigration status and even detain them if suspected of being undocumented.

The agreement falls under the federal 287(g) program, which enables ICE to delegate certain immigration enforcement duties to state and local law enforcement.

In this case, it is campus security forces that will assume those responsibilities—a decision that has raised alarm across the academic community, particularly at institutions with large populations of international students or DACA recipients.

University Police in Florida Can Now Ask About Immigration Status

Police at Florida public universities will inquire about students’ immigration status https://t.co/uraekmmb7g

– EL DEBER (@grupoeldeber) April 14, 2025

Florida International University (FIU), based in Miami and with a majority Hispanic student body, has confirmed its participation in the program and stated that its campus police will receive specialized training to enforce the policy.

“We need to make sure we have enough capacity and enough seats for our legal residents in the state of Florida,” said FIU President Jeanette Núñez, who previously served as the state’s lieutenant governor.

The measure responds to a directive pushed by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, who in February authorized local and state police to request immigration information as part of their duties.

However, it remains unclear how this collaboration will affect individuals protected under programs like DACA. FIU currently has about 600 students covered by the program, who now face an increasingly uncertain future.

The University Offers Legal Assistance

#Vision360 l Police at Florida public universities will now ask about students’ immigration status
Florida’s public universities have begun cooperating with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), allowing … pic.twitter.com/cozkmuc7wg

– Vision 360 (@vision360_bo) April 14, 2025

This development comes amid the recent loss of F-1 visas by 18 FIU students and alumni between March 25 and April 10, forcing them to abandon their studies.

The university has confirmed it is offering legal assistance to those affected and has expressed concern over the potential impact of this policy on its student community.

Nonetheless, officials like Senator Marco Rubio have supported the visa revocations. “If you lie to us, get a visa, and come to the U.S. and then use it to engage in those kinds of activities, we will revoke it,” stated Rubio, who is from Miami.

Other public institutions, such as Florida Atlantic University (FAU) in Boca Raton, are already in the process of implementing the 287(g) program.

Critics Voice Concern Over the Situation

Police at Florida public universities will ask students about their immigration status https://t.co/brjbqwe754

– Ev Houston (@elvenezolanohou) April 14, 2025

The same applies to the University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa and the University of Central Florida (UCF) in Orlando, although their agreements are still being finalized.

Critics of the policy warn that the presence of immigration enforcement agents on campus could create a climate of fear and distrust, limiting students’ access to essential services and their participation in university life.

In contrast, the University of Miami (UM), a private institution located in Coral Gables, has decided not to participate in the ICE partnership program.

The implementation of 287(g) at public universities marks an escalation in Florida’s immigration policies and raises questions about the limits of university autonomy, respect for student rights, and the role of educational institutions in the state’s political agenda.

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