Florida Universities join ICE in campus immigration enforcement program

Key Takeaways

• Five major Florida universities joined ICE’s 287(g) program, giving campus police new federal immigration enforcement powers in 2025.
• At least eight students at the University of Florida lost their visas since the policy’s launch; protests and fears have erupted statewide.
• Campus police can question, arrest, and process immigration suspects, blurring lines between school safety and federal immigration enforcement.

Florida Universities Open New Chapter With ICE: What 287(g) Means for Campus Communities

Florida public universities have stepped into a new space by agreeing to work with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) through the 287(g) program. This is the first time in the United States 🇺🇸 that university police on this scale have been given powers usually held by federal immigration officers. The changes started in early 2025 and follow a clear order from Governor Ron DeSantis that all state public institutions, including university police, must support federal immigration rules and enforcement.

If you are a student, university worker, or just watching the news, you may wonder what this means for everyday life at Florida Universities. Let’s look at the program details, how it will work on campus, how students and staff have reacted, and what the future may hold.

What is the 287(g) Program and Why Does it Matter?

At the center of this change is something called the 287(g) program. The name comes from a part of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, a federal law passed by Congress. This part of the law lets ICE give certain powers to local police and sheriffs. After special ICE training, these officers can do things like:

• Ask people about their immigration status.
• Detain or arrest someone if they believe that person is breaking U.S. immigration laws.
• Make arrests in some immigration cases even if they don’t have a warrant.

These are not small changes. Giving local or campus police the powers above usually means they are treated almost like ICE agents, at least for some cases. The power to question people about their status–or even arrest someone for being in the country without the right documentation–is very different from what campus police usually do. As reported by VisaVerge.com, these partnerships show how the line between campus safety and federal immigration enforcement is fading.

Now, any person arrested by campus police for another crime could also be processed for immigration issues. That could be for something like driving with an expired license, as in the case of University of Florida student Felipe Zapata Velasquez. Once in custody, ICE rules could come into play if an officer believes the person is “an alien who may be subject to removal from the United States.”

Which Florida Universities Are Involved?

So far, at least five large Florida Universities have signed up with ICE under the 287(g) partnership. These are:

• University of Florida (UF)
• University of South Florida (USF)
• Florida Atlantic University (FAU)
• University of North Florida (UNF)
• Other state schools are said to be working on similar agreements.

These agreements mirror the deals signed earlier between local police and ICE. After the Governor’s order in February 2025, all Florida sheriff offices and several local police departments made similar deals.

How Will Immigration Enforcement Work on Campus?

With these new agreements, campus police will attend ICE-led training. After they are cleared, they can do the following:

• Interrogate anyone they think could be an immigrant (or “alien,” per the law) and ask about their right to stay in the United States 🇺🇸.
• If someone is already being arrested for another issue–like violating traffic rules–they can check if there are also immigration violations. If so, they can begin processing for deportation.
• They can make arrests without a warrant if they see someone trying to enter the country unlawfully.

ICE will still oversee these local partners. But daily work–like questioning and possible arrests–may now come from your campus police, not just federal agents. The campus police at these Florida Universities will be an “extended hand” of ICE on school property.

What Does the Law Say?

The authority for these new campus police powers comes directly from federal law, specifically section 287(g) of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act. This law has allowed hundreds of state and local law agencies across the country to work with ICE, but, until now, has never been used in the same way at universities.

Campus police are now expected to work closely with ICE, just like county sheriffs in the state. The aim, according to ICE, is to “protect through arrest and removal” people who are not allowed to stay in the United States 🇺🇸 by law.

The change came quickly after Governor DeSantis’ executive order in February 2025, a document that made it clear all public colleges and universities must work with ICE or risk losing state support.

Student Worries and Protests: Fears Grow on Campus

Unsurprisingly, the news that Florida Universities are linking up with ICE has led to fear and anger for many students, especially those who are immigrants, international students, or part of undocumented families. Concerns have only grown since students have seen the rules in action.

One early example is the case of Felipe Zapata Velasquez, a student at UF. After police stopped him for driving with an expired license, they also checked his visa status. He was then detained, and this sparked outcry across the campus. Many saw this as proof that routine stops could now lead to immigration actions.

Student protests have been held at several universities, with signs and speeches calling attention to racial profiling and fears of unfair targeting. Common concerns include:

• That police may single out students based on appearance or accent.
• That international students and others may stop using key campus services, like counseling or health centers, out of worry they could be questioned or reported to ICE.
• The chilling effect on mental health and academic performance, as students may feel less safe, less included, and more at risk for deportation.

Student leaders and immigrant support groups say these changes may undo progress in building safe, welcoming communities at Florida Universities.

What Do University and Government Leaders Say?

University officials often state that this move is “about following state law and executive orders.” Spokespersons from the Florida Universities say that they have no choice after the new policy from Governor DeSantis. They make clear that these ICE partnerships are not the idea of the campus alone.

In press releases and interviews, the message is that universities are not looking for undocumented students or trying to target specific groups. They say that only those already under arrest for something else will be checked for immigration issues. “Campus police remain first and foremost focused on safety and protection, not immigration sweeps,” said one official.

Still, ICE has made its own goals public: to partner with local agencies to arrest and remove people who do not have the right to stay in the United States 🇺🇸. These statements–and the real stories of students already affected–show that the details of “who gets checked, where, and why” matter a great deal.

How Many Students Could Be Affected?

The true number of people directly affected is not yet clear. Officials confirmed that at least eight students at the University of Florida have already lost their visas since the ICE partnership started earlier in 2025. It is unknown how many faculty, staff, or other students may also be at risk, especially if their paperwork is still being reviewed or delayed by federal agencies.

There is also no exact number on how many campus police officers will receive ICE powers. Each school may deputize a different number, and ICE will watch their work. Such uncertainty adds anxiety for many students, especially those who may have very minor paperwork issues but now face a bigger risk.

Broader Context: Why Florida, and Why Now?

Florida’s move is seen as setting a national example for using college campuses as sites for increased immigration enforcement. Nationwide, most 287(g) agreements have been with county sheriffs and local police, not university police. By extending these powers to Florida Universities, the state is testing the limits of how closely education and immigration enforcement can be mixed.

These steps come after a period of strong public debate across the country about the rights of undocumented people, the duties of police, and the role of higher education in supporting all students. In Florida, state leaders have made it clear they want more local involvement in federal immigration enforcement, not less. Some supporters say these steps will make campuses safer, while others claim such policies harm the spirit of open education.

Legal and Ethical Questions Raised

The agreements between Florida Universities and ICE raise complex legal and moral questions. Some experts ask:

• Is it fair to give campus police–who are not trained as deeply as federal agents in complex immigration law–the power to enforce these rules?
• Will university leaders be able to stop profiling or overreaching by campus police, or does the new system create too many risks for mistakes and abuse?
• Is the priority of federal immigration enforcement worth possible harm to the health, well-being, and potential of students who fear being seen as suspicious just for being foreign-born or different?

Supporters of the move argue that any student who follows the law should not be worried. Opponents say that mistakes and bias can and do happen, especially when students with no criminal record are swept up in broader enforcement.

For more details about how 287(g) agreements work nationwide, visit ICE’s official 287(g) program page.

What Makes University Campuses Different?

Universities are meant to be places where students from many countries, backgrounds, and cultures study and share ideas together. Many international students and scholars choose U.S. schools for this reason. Campus police have mostly served as protectors, helping with safety, not as helpers for deportations.

Now, that tradition is changing at Florida Universities. Some students and teachers say this change could damage trust between students and campus officers, making it harder to report crime or get needed help.

Others worry that the possibility of immigration questioning during any stop by police may scare away talented students or researchers who do not want to risk being targeted.

Immediate and Long-Term Impacts for Florida Universities

Even though this process is new, early impacts are already being felt:

• Students are more likely to call lawyers and immigrant rights groups than campus hotlines after an arrest or even a traffic stop.
• International admissions staff report more questions about “Is it safe for me to come study there?” after news stories about the ICE deals.
• Professors and counselors say they are dealing with more stress among students and trying to keep up with rules that shift quickly.

In the long term, some believe that Florida Universities could lose skilled students, miss out on global research partnerships, or even face lawsuits if campus enforcement leads to rights abuses.

But supporters claim that strict enforcement is needed now more than ever, and that students who obey U.S. law have nothing to fear. They point to ICE data that suggests most people checked under 287(g) have committed other crimes first.

Balanced Views and Ongoing Debate

It is clear that not everyone agrees on this new chapter for Florida Universities. Some local leaders and parents say they are glad to see more tools for campus safety and federal cooperation.

However, student groups, faculty, and even national education groups have warned against the risk of unfair targeting or loss of campus trust.

Many are waiting to see how often these new powers are actually used, and whether stories like Felipe Zapata Velasquez become rare or common. The issue is likely to be closely watched nationwide.

Summary Table: Key Points About the Change

What’s Next for Students, Parents, and Staff?

If you are in Florida, especially if you study or work at one of the state’s public universities, it is important to know your legal rights. Ask about campus policies, keep your documents current, and connect with student support groups if you have concerns.

Watch for updates from your university, since many of these details are still being worked out. And remember, if you have questions about your status or legal risk in this new system, you can always check official government sources or campus legal clinics for help.

No matter where you stand on the issue, the decision of Florida Universities to join ICE under the 287(g) program marks a big change–one that puts questions of law, safety, and community trust into sharp focus for years to come.

Learn Today

287(g) Program → A federal partnership allowing local or campus police to help enforce U.S. immigration laws after ICE training.
ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) → A U.S. federal agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws and removing unauthorized immigrants.
Visa → An official document granting permission to enter, study, or work in the United States for a specific period.
Executive Order → A directive issued by a U.S. governor or president that carries the force of law within government agencies.
Deportation → The formal removal of a non-citizen from the United States for violating immigration or other laws.

This Article in a Nutshell

Florida universities now give campus police federal-like immigration power through ICE’s 287(g) program. This 2025 policy shift enables questioning, arrests, and visa checks, sparking protests and fears of discrimination. Eight students already lost visas. The controversial move tests how immigration enforcement is reshaping campus security, trust, and student well-being.
— By VisaVerge.com

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