The University of Florida (UF) has entered into a partnership with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under the 287(g) program, allowing trained campus police officers to exercise federal immigration enforcement authority.
The 287(g) agreement delegates specific federal immigration enforcement powers to state and local law enforcement agencies. Under the program, selected UF police officers will undergo specialized training enabling them to make immigration-related arrests on campus.
This development makes UF the latest Florida university to join the program, following institutions like the University of South Florida and the University of Central Florida Police Department. Several Florida counties also have existing 287(g) agreements with ICE.
The move aligns with broader immigration enforcement initiatives under President Donald Trump’s administration. Since taking office for his second term, the administration has overseen increased arrests of immigrants residing illegally in the U.S. ICE reported arresting over 30,000 such individuals as of March, stating that approximately half have criminal convictions.
President Trump had previously promised stricter border control and mass deportations, actions initiated early in his current term, including a directive permitting arrests of criminal illegal aliens on school grounds.
The focus on enforcement has also extended to foreign students. ICE has arrested students allegedly involved in violent campus protests or expressing support for terrorist organizations, leading to over 300 student visa revocations and deportations nationally.
Locally, UF’s student newspaper, The Independent Florida Alligator, reported that four UF students have already had their visas revoked.
