A University of Minnesota graduate student was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at an off-campus residence on Thursday, according to a statement from the university. The student’s identity, nationality, visa type, and status were not disclosed, and the university emphasized that it had no prior knowledge of the detention.
The statement, signed by President Rebecca Cunningham, Vice President for Student Affairs Calvin Phillips, and Vice President for Equity and Diversity Mercedes Ramírez Fernández, described the incident as “deeply concerning.” The university also clarified that its public safety departments, including the University of Minnesota Police Department (UMPD), do not enforce federal immigration laws or inquire about an individual’s immigration status.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced on social media that he was in contact with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to obtain more information. “The University of Minnesota is an international destination for education and research. We have many students here on visas, and we need answers,” Walz stated.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey also condemned the incident, calling the detention “deeply troubling.” He stressed that educational institutions should be safe spaces for students to learn without fear.
This incident comes amid a wave of recent ICE arrests targeting international students in the United States.
Earlier this month, Mahmoud Khalil, a graduate student at Columbia University and a legal permanent resident, was detained by ICE agents on accusations of supporting Hamas, a designated terrorist organization. Khalil’s attorney denied the allegations, emphasizing that there was no evidence to support the claim. Khalil remains in federal custody in Louisiana, where a court ruling prevents his deportation while legal challenges are resolved.
Additionally, Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish graduate student at Tufts University, was arrested by ICE agents on Tuesday while en route to meet friends for iftar during Ramadan. A video of the arrest was shared widely, and a court order has temporarily blocked her deportation.
Other international students detained this week include Alireza Doroudi, an Iranian doctoral student at the University of Alabama, and Kseniia Petrova, a Russian medical researcher at Harvard University.
The University of Minnesota incident underscores growing concerns about immigration enforcement on college campuses and the impact on international students who come to the U.S. for education and research.
