U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has confirmed that a University of Minnesota graduate student was detained due to a prior drunk driving offense, not for involvement in campus protests. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a statement Monday clarifying that the student’s visa was revoked by the State Department due to a previous DUI-related criminal history.
Student Detention Sparks Campus Unrest
The student’s sudden detention, without an official explanation, led to student protests and drew concern from both university officials and political leaders. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz stated that he had spoken with Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem regarding the matter and was awaiting further details.
Meanwhile, Minnesota State University Mankato confirmed that another student was also taken into ICE custody. University President Edward Inch addressed the campus in a letter, revealing that the student was detained at an off-campus residence on Friday. However, ICE has yet to provide an official explanation or request any details from the university.
Concerns Over Due Process and Immigration Policies
The lack of transparency surrounding these detentions has raised legal and human rights concerns. U.S. Senator Tina Smith expressed alarm over the increasing number of student detentions without clear justification, stating,
“This is becoming a deeply concerning pattern, where ICE detains students with little to no explanation … and ignores their rights to due process. I will keep pressing the administration for answers about these arrests and work to get answers from federal immigration authorities about this case.”
The University of Minnesota has not disclosed the detained student’s identity but confirmed that the individual was enrolled in the business school on the Minneapolis campus. University spokesperson Andria Waclawski reassured that the institution is providing legal support and assistance while respecting the student’s privacy.
Visa Revocation Under Trump Administration Policy
The Trump administration has invoked a rarely used statute allowing visa revocations for individuals deemed a potential threat to foreign policy interests. Reports indicate that more than half a dozen university-affiliated individuals have been detained or deported in recent weeks, many of whom had participated in pro-Palestinian campus protests against Israel’s actions in Gaza.
Governor Tim Walz emphasized that due process rights must be upheld, regardless of the circumstances.
“A deep concern here is that, no matter what the situation, everyone in this country has due process rights, and our concern is whether those rights are being followed.”
As student activism grows nationwide, concerns over immigration enforcement practices and visa revocations continue to spark debate across academic institutions and political circles.
