University of Minnesota Graduate Student Detained by ICE, Officials Demand Clarity
An international graduate student at the University of Minnesota has been detained by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the latest in a string of such arrests targeting foreign students across US campuses.
Information on the University of Minnesota graduate student detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is available here: https://t.co/Q5UtPH1Kx2 pic.twitter.com/uyPj5CN0hM
— University of Minnesota (@UMNews) March 28, 2025
University officials confirmed the detention in a letter to the school community on Friday, stating that the student was taken into custody from an off-campus residence. While the identity and nationality of the student remain undisclosed due to privacy laws, the university has called the situation “deeply concerning” and is seeking further information.
The Department of Homeland Security declined to comment on the case, referring queries to ICE, which has yet to respond. The arrested student’s attorney described the matter as “highly sensitive” and said they are in contact with their client, though did not specify how soon after the arrest that contact was made.
Pattern of Detentions
This incident follows similar detentions of students and scholars in recent weeks, highlighting growing unease within academic communities about the impact of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement measures.
In New York, Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University graduate and Palestinian activist, was taken from outside his apartment, held in New Jersey, and then transported to Louisiana.
At Georgetown University, doctoral researcher Khan Suri, an Indian national, was reportedly detained in Virginia before being transferred to Texas via a Louisiana holding facility.
Another high-profile case involved Tufts University PhD candidate Rumeysa Ozturk, who was arrested near her Massachusetts home and held without communication for nearly 24 hours before being located in a Louisiana ICE facility.
All these cases share a troubling pattern: detentions without prior warning, unclear charges, and limited communication between detainees and their legal representatives or families.
Community and Political Leaders React
The University of Minnesota confirmed that its campus security units, including the University of Minnesota Police Department, do not engage in federal immigration enforcement or inquire about individuals’ immigration status.
Reacting to the arrest, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said he was in touch with Homeland Security and emphasized the need for answers, noting the state’s role as a hub for international students.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey described the incident as “deeply troubling,” underlining the importance of ensuring that academic environments remain safe spaces for learning, free from fear.
Democratic State Senator Doron Clark criticized the lack of transparency from federal authorities. “We don’t even know where the student is,” he said, calling the information blackout “maddening and frightening.”
Fellow legislator Omar Fateh echoed the sentiment, urging a coordinated and immediate response to protect all members of the academic community.
Growing Unease Across Campuses
The silence from immigration authorities and the increasing frequency of student detentions have added fuel to ongoing debates about the scope of federal immigration enforcement on college campuses.
While the reasons for this latest detention remain unclear, the broader context reflects a shifting landscape where international students face heightened scrutiny. In many cases, arrests have occurred far from legal representation or family support, complicating efforts to ensure due process.
As questions about academic freedom, legal rights, and due process persist, calls are growing louder for a transparent policy framework that protects students while maintaining lawful immigration oversight.
For now, the academic community at the University of Minnesota and beyond is left in suspense — awaiting clarity, accountability, and reassurance that international students will not be subjected to arbitrary action without explanation.
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