ICE was removed from the list of employers on the university website following the outcry.
Various student groups and the UMaine Graduate Workers Union demanded that ICE not appear on campus. The Union posted a call for a protest, declaring, “Our campus community is safer without CBP on campus. It’s UMaine’s responsibility to protect all students and employees from possible targeting. We demand CBP be uninvited from this event!”
False rumors were spread about ICE raids scheduled to coincide with the visit, an obviously ridiculous claim meant to spread panic and protests.
These employees and students have succeeded in keeping other students from seeking badly needed jobs. They are effectively demanding that others limit their choices to employers that they find acceptable. The university has been largely silent during this controversy. The university should have (as did my own university) reaffirmed that this agency and other federal agencies are welcome to speak with any students who are interested in a career with the federal government. Instead, it simply released a weak statement about “ensur[ing] a safe, inclusive and productive event focused on student success.”
President Joan Ferrini-Mundy should advocate for students who want access to this agency on campus. The union members and these protesters have the freedom to make their own employment choices. They should not dictate such choices for others.