Jacksonville, Florida, January 29, 2026
Students at the University of North Florida (UNF) are rallying for the campus to become a sanctuary for undocumented and international students. Their campaign calls for the administration to cut ties with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to foster a safer environment. Echoing similar movements at other universities, UNF students advocate for policies limiting cooperation with ICE to protect their peers from potential deportation and ensure a secure campus for all.
Jacksonville, Florida – UNF Students Demand ‘Sanctuary Campus’ Amid Immigration Tensions
University of North Florida (UNF) students have initiated a campaign urging the administration to sever ties with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and establish the campus as a sanctuary environment for undocumented and international students.
Student Protest and Demands
In recent demonstrations, students have called for the university to cease cooperation with ICE, aiming to create a safer and more inclusive campus atmosphere. They are advocating for policies that would limit the sharing of student information with federal immigration authorities and prevent ICE agents from entering campus facilities without proper legal authorization.
Background and Context
The sanctuary campus movement has gained momentum across various U.S. universities, with students seeking to protect their peers from potential deportation and to ensure that educational institutions remain safe spaces for all students, regardless of their immigration status. Similar initiatives have been observed at institutions such as Boston University, the University of Florida, and the University of Central Florida, where students have also protested against campus collaborations with ICE and called for sanctuary campus designations.
These actions reflect a broader national conversation about the role of educational institutions in safeguarding the rights and well-being of undocumented and international students amidst evolving immigration policies.
University’s Response
As of now, UNF administration has not publicly responded to the students’ demands. The situation continues to develop, and further updates are anticipated as discussions between students and university officials progress.
Related Developments
Other universities have faced similar challenges. For instance, the University of Florida’s police department entered into a 287(g) agreement with ICE, allowing campus police to act as immigration enforcers. This decision led to student protests and calls for the university to end its partnership with ICE and declare itself a sanctuary campus. Similarly, the University of Central Florida witnessed student rallies demanding the reversal of their university’s agreement with ICE and the establishment of a sanctuary campus.
These instances highlight the ongoing debates and actions within academic communities regarding the balance between campus safety, federal immigration enforcement, and the protection of student rights.
Conclusion
The movement at UNF is part of a larger national trend where students are actively engaging in advocacy to influence university policies related to immigration enforcement. The outcome of these efforts may set precedents for how higher education institutions navigate the complexities of federal immigration laws and the protection of their diverse student populations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is a sanctuary campus?
A sanctuary campus is a college or university that adopts policies to protect members of the campus community who are undocumented immigrants. These policies may include not allowing ICE officers onto campus without a warrant, refusing to share student immigration status with ICE, and not gathering information on immigration or citizenship status.
Why are UNF students demanding a sanctuary campus?
UNF students are demanding a sanctuary campus to create a safer environment for undocumented and international students by limiting cooperation with ICE and protecting student information from federal immigration authorities.
Have other universities taken similar actions?
Yes, other universities have also taken similar actions. For example, the University of Florida’s police department entered into a 287(g) agreement with ICE, leading to student protests and calls for the university to end its partnership with ICE and declare itself a sanctuary campus.
What is the 287(g) agreement?
The 287(g) agreement is a federal program that allows ICE to partner with state and local law enforcement agencies, enabling officers to assist in enforcing federal immigration laws.
What are the potential implications of UNF becoming a sanctuary campus?
If UNF becomes a sanctuary campus, it would implement policies to protect undocumented and international students from federal immigration enforcement, potentially influencing other institutions and contributing to the broader national conversation on immigration and education.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Student Advocacy | UNF students are campaigning for the university to sever ties with ICE and establish a sanctuary campus. |
| Policy Demands | Students are advocating for policies that limit sharing student information with federal immigration authorities and prevent ICE agents from entering campus facilities without proper legal authorization. |
| National Movement | The sanctuary campus movement is gaining momentum across U.S. universities, with similar actions observed at institutions such as Boston University, the University of Florida, and the University of Central Florida. |
| University Response | As of now, UNF administration has not publicly responded to the students’ demands. |
| Broader Implications | The movement reflects ongoing debates within academic communities regarding the balance between campus safety, federal immigration enforcement, and the protection of student rights. |
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