According to a statement from university leaders, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained a foreign graduate student at the University of Minnesota last Thursday. The leaders of the university called the situation “deeply concerning.”
The person went to the school’s Twin Cities campus in Minneapolis and was a Carlson School of Management student. The school said the student was arrested at a home outside of campus, but they did not say who the student was or why they were being held.
The arrest on Thursday is the latest example of ICE’s efforts to target foreign students and teachers at American universities.
Fox News Digital tried to get more information from ICE and the Department of Homeland Security, but they didn’t answer right away.
“The University had no prior knowledge of this incident and did not share any information with federal authorities before it occurred,” the school said. However, it is working to get the student legal help and other support services.
Dean of the Carlson School of Management, Jamie Prenkert, said that the university is still committed to its international community, even though “federal immigration policies are changing” and things are uncertain.
“These kinds of detentions have a big impact on our community,” Prenkert said in a statement. “International students have been welcome at the University’s business school since the beginning.” Scholars, staff, and faculty from around the world have helped our studies and classrooms, making the Carlson School what it is today.
In a post on X on Friday, Gov. Tim Walz talked about what happened.
“I just spoke with Homeland Security to get more information and I will share when I learn more,” he said. “Students and researchers from all over the world come to the University of Minnesota to learn and do research.” We need answers because there are a lot of students with visas who are here to learn.
On Friday, Sen. Doron Clark also said something on X that was critical of the Trump administration’s actions against foreign students.
“I am saddened and angered that ICE is operating around the University of Minnesota,” said Clark. “All students, staff, and visitors should feel safe on our campuses…” The Trump government is making fun of our friends, family, and neighbors for no reason. We need to speak out against this.
In the past few weeks, ICE has arrested several students at Columbia University and Tufts for taking part in anti-Israel protests.
Marco Rubio, the Secretary of State, also said that the Department of State has taken away visas for about 300 foreign students.
On Friday, Rubio told the press, “At this point, it might be more than 300.” “Every day we do it.” I take away their visa every time I find one of these crazy people.
“We gave you a visa to come and study and get a degree, not to become a social activist that tears up our university campuses,” he said.
