Student Protest Against ICE at the University of Alabama
On a recent Friday, over 60 students gathered on the Quad at the University of Alabama to protest against the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). A small group of 10 provided a counterpoint across the way.
This protest was organized by four student groups: Students for Justice in Palestine, the Queer Student Association, the Leftist Collective, and Friends of the Union. Their rally aligns with nationwide actions against ICE, particularly following the tragic death of Renee Good, shot by an ICE agent in Minnesota earlier this month.
Sophia Kyemba, president of the Leftist Collective, expressed concerns, saying, “ICE has been terrorizing people all across the country since it was created 23 years ago, especially in the past year.” ICE was formed in March 2003 after the September 11 attacks, with intentions to ensure national security.
Statistics show the impact of ICE’s aggressive policies. During the Trump administration alone, more than 605,000 undocumented individuals were deported from January to December 2025, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This includes an additional 1.9 million who left the country voluntarily during the same time.
At the protest, students gathered signatures for a list of demands directed at university administration, aiming to declare the campus a sanctuary. Their key requests are:
- Ban ICE agents from campus.
- Protect data of students and faculty from ICE.
- Offer legal support for immigrant students.
- Ensure transparency of ICE activities.
- End collaboration between campus police and ICE.
- Make a commitment to student safety.
The urgency of these demands reflects growing worries about the safety and treatment of immigrant communities, especially after the recent detention of Alireza Doroudi, a former student.
Christian Martin, treasurer of UA College Democrats, shared his alarm about rising authoritarian tactics in America, likening ICE’s role to a modern-day Gestapo. Conversely, Trenton Buffenbarger, from the Young Americans for Freedom, voiced support for ICE, seeing them as law enforcers. “They’re enforcing the law, and I’d rather people let them do that,” he said.
According to the DHS, ICE officers undergo extensive training—over 100 days for specialist roles. However, the efficacy and ethics of their tactics are increasingly questioned by advocates for immigrant rights.
RayAnna Wall, a junior studying criminal justice, argued for legal immigration, viewing illegal entry as disrespectful to those who followed the rules. In contrast, Abi Diaz from Friends of the Union highlighted the human cost of current policies, stating recent deaths connected to ICE actions are “absolutely abhorrent.”
Recent data points to alarming fatalities linked to ICE activities. Renee Good and Alex Pretti, both U.S. citizens, were fatally shot by ICE agents just this month. Additionally, a Cuban immigrant, Geraldo Lunas Campos, died under suspicious circumstances in a detainment center, now ruled a homicide.
Diaz emphasized the need for accountability and a protective approach to community safety, expressing fears that without substantial changes, tragedy will inevitably strike.
As student activism grows, their collective demands represent a significant push for reform in how immigration enforcement operates within educational institutions and communities at large.
For more details on the ongoing impacts of ICE and student activism, you can refer to the Department of Homeland Security’s official reports.
