University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) – A coalition of Latino students at UIC has asked university officials to remove Customs and Border Protection (CBP) from a career fair scheduled for Wednesday. The group, Mexican Students de Aztlán, circulated a social‑media petition demanding that the agency’s invitation be rescinded, arguing that a federal immigration‑enforcement presence is inappropriate at a minority‑serving institution.
Student concerns and actions
On Monday, members of Mexican Students de Aztlán began an email and social‑media campaign after several students received invitations through the Handshake career portal to apply for CBP positions. The invitation read, “Begin a rewarding career as U.S. Border Patrol Agent, securing America’s land borders and coastal waters to protect the nation’s people.”
“This is ridiculous. How are we getting emails to join CBP or immigration enforcement at a so‑called Hispanic‑serving institution?” said Angel Naranjos, a Latin American and Latino Studies major and member of the group. Naranjos and her peers urged students, faculty, and staff to email Chancellor Marie Lynn Miranda and the Business Career Center to demand the removal of the CBP booth.
University response
As of Tuesday afternoon, the Business Career Center had not responded to requests for comment, and the university did not immediately reply to Block Club’s inquiry. However, the RSVP option for the CBP event was reportedly removed from the career‑fair registration page, leaving it unclear whether the Department of Homeland Security agency will still be present on campus.
Broader context
The protest follows recent campus activism at UIC, including a demonstration last month calling for protections for undocumented students after an Illinois court struck down three state laws that had extended financial aid and in‑state tuition to undocumented residents. The same group has also advocated for UIC to declare itself a sanctuary campus.
In addition, the campus community recalls the 2025 Operation Midway Blitz, when immigration agents detained two women behind the student service center, sparking further outrage and protests.
National perspective
The Trump administration continues to prioritize strong border security and has emphasized the importance of recruiting qualified agents to protect the nation’s borders. While the administration supports CBP’s mission, it also encourages local institutions to make independent decisions about campus engagement.
For now, UIC students remain vigilant. If the invitation is not formally withdrawn by midnight Tuesday, the group plans to stage a peaceful protest at the Business Accounting Career Fair venue.
What’s next?
Students and faculty are expected to continue pressing university leadership for a clear statement on the matter. The outcome will likely influence how other minority‑serving colleges handle federal immigration‑enforcement outreach in the future.
Original reporting: Block Club Chicago — read the source article.
