Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity has ramped up across the nation since Trump began his second presidential term last January. It is impossible to turn a blind eye to. This surge in activity comes under directive from the Trump administration, in its desire to crack down on illegal immigration by increasing ICE arrests and subsequent detentions. The operations have been scrutinized due to aggressive arrests and the lack of transparency surrounding detainments. Los Angeles and Minneapolis have been subjected to the most intense crackdowns in the nation so far. Violent detainments and even killings—citing the cases of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, among 6 others killed by ICE in 2026—have sparked massive protests in the two cities and nationwide. Communities from all over the country have stood in solidarity with those affected by ICE raids.
Like the rest of the country, Schenectady and the Capital Region have witnessed increased ICE activity. The Capital Region has seen an uptick in ICE detainments, those disproportionately consisting of Latino community members. Schools in the Capital Region have been areas of particular concern. Public school districts have received handfuls of reports claiming detainments of students. These reports have inspired students, parents, and other community members to protest ICE activity in their district, calling for schools to take measures to protect their students, and for accountability and transparency from the Department of Homeland Security regarding arrests.
Concerns over ICE activity have risen among college students as well. Chief among these concerns are the status of international students and the general fear of having one’s legal status in the United States compromised. Hareem Afridi ‘28, an international student from Pakistan, shares in this uneasiness. “As an international student, it’s terrifying because we came here legally with an F-1 visa, and despite that we are still facing these threats from ICE,” says Afridi. ICE employs stop-and-frisk tactics for many of their interactions and detainments, and due to this, run-ins can be unpredictable. Additionally, the nation has seen instances in which American citizens and visa holders have been unjustly detained and held, contributing to uncertainty surrounding ICE operations.
Union has taken swift action to prevent potential encounters with ICE on campus. Last spring, Union began to require ID card access for entry to all academic and most administrative buildings, largely limiting access to students and staff. Furthermore, the college has made it clear to students and staff that law enforcement or government activity on campus should be reported to Campus Safety immediately (518-388-6911). A February 13th email from the Vice President of Student Affairs concerning building security and campus resources provides students with valuable information regarding their rights and measures to take in the event of an encounter with federal agents. Student information is legally protected and not to be shared. “Under the Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA) and college policy, student information, including citizenship or immigration status, is strictly protected. Access to such information is limited to authorized personnel with a legitimate need to know,” says Thomas Constantine, Director of Campus Safety. If questioned for student information, Campus Safety is to be contacted right away.
International Advising has been particularly helpful for international students amidst the national immigration crackdown. “International Advising is constantly sending us emails on how to react. We need to let officials know we are here legally, and we know as students that if an issue does happen that we have legal recourse,” Afridi says.
Mutual support in the Union community is crucial for ensuring the security of students, staff, and even Schenectady residents. It is essential that, in addition to following Union’s guidance, we communicate with and support one another. “Create a safe environment for other students,” Afridi urges. “Fellow students should let each other know what’s going on and give advice on how to stay safe, and how to generally move within the city.”
