Outrage Over DHS Agents' Misconduct at Columbia University

International Student Seized by DHS Agents at Columbia University Sparks Outcry

WASHINGTON—In a recent incident that has raised concerns among academic communities, it has been reported that agents from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) allegedly misrepresented their identities to gain access to a residential building at Columbia University, leading to the seizure of an international student. This development has prompted strong reactions from educational leaders.

The President of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP), Todd Wolfson, and the President of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), Randi Weingarten, have voiced their outrage over the incident. They stated, “We are outraged by reports that DHS agents misrepresented themselves to gain entry to a Columbia University residential building and seize an international student. We are relieved that the student has been released. But if reports of the circumstances of her arrest are accurate, this is a dangerous abuse of state power that threatens due process, undermines trust and safety on our campuses, and sends a chilling message to international students and scholars across the country.”

Emphasizing the role of universities as safe havens for education and dialogue, Wolfson and Weingarten stressed that academic institutions should not be co-opted into serving as enforcement arms of immigration policies. Their joint statement further highlighted the need for "accountability and the protection of fundamental rights," underscoring the imperative to shield campus communities from fear and intimidation.

The AFT represents a diverse group of 1.8 million individuals, including pre-K through 12th-grade teachers, paraprofessionals, and other school-related personnel. It also encompasses higher education faculty, professional staff, federal, state, and local government employees, nurses, healthcare workers, and early childhood educators.