When it comes to the application of the immigration lawsUNC-Chapel Hill President Lee Roberts made it clear at a faculty council meeting: “We will follow the law” and “comply with any requests from the authorities.”
The measure comes after the government of President Donald Trump determined that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can enter places known as “sensitive”These include universities, schools, churches and hospitals.
Professors and students expressed their concern at last week's meeting over UNC's decision to collaborate with immigration authorities.
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Concern of students and teachers
University officials warned that these changes could put students' safety and privacy at risk. They also questioned how the administration would handle situations of civil disobedience on campus.
“Has the university administration considered what the university policy will be if some of our students or community members engage in nonviolent civil disobedience to protect people who are believed to be in this country illegally?” one professor asked about the potential for civil disobedience.
In response, Chancellor Roberts emphasized the complexity of such situations, stating that the university would continue to enforce “time, place, and manner” restrictions—policies that govern appropriate conduct for demonstrations, but which depend largely on context.
Roberts also attempted to downplay the uncertainty. “I don't think it's productive to enter into a hypothetical debate about how we would respond to a situation that hasn't yet occurred,” he added.
Meanwhile, Miguel La Serna, a history professor, expressed concern about how UNC campus police would comply with “what many lawyers consider an unconstitutional violation of federal authority.”
Monday, Students United for Immigrant Equality (SUIE) issued a statement expressing solidarity with the affected students. The statement, shared on Instagram, criticized Roberts' actions:
“Chancellor Roberts’ actions undermine not only the future of these students, but also the integrity of our university as a place of learning and growth. All students deserve to be able to pursue their education in an environment free from fear, and we will continue to fight for their rights and the education they deserve.”
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Broader context: expanding immigration enforcement
Roberts' stance follows the federal directive to allow ICE to do operational in “sensitive areas,” including schools, hospitals and places of worship.
Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Benjamin Huffman explained that the policy aims to detain “criminal aliens—murderers and rapists—who have entered the country illegally.”
However, critics fear that this expansion could lead to the targeting of undocumented students at universities such as UNC.
This directive is part of the Trump administration's strategy to eliminate restrictions on ICE operations. The goal is what the president has promised will be "the largest deportation operation in U.S. history."
Many fear the impact on the “sanctuary cities"and whether local law enforcement agencies will assist with these new ICE directives.
In North Carolina, local legislature efforts align with federal initiatives to deport undocumented immigrants.
At the last session of the General Assembly, legislators approved HB 10 law requiring all local sheriffs to cooperate with ICE.
UNC's change of position
UNC staff have historically supported immigrant rights, as seen in 2017 when they stood up for DACA recipients and in 2018 they organized a week to defend the program.
The university also created initiatives such as UndocuCarolina to help undocumented students.
However, Chancellor Roberts' recent stance on federal immigration enforcement has faculty concerned about student privacy and safety.
“What our DACA students need now is reassurance that the leadership of this community will protect them,” said Professor La Serna.
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