FIU PD’s 287(g) agreement with ICE continues to face backlash from members of the FIU community.
Aniela Cabrera | Staff Writer
On Thursday, hundreds of passing pedestrians watched as a group of FIU students and faculty gathered on the Graham Center Lawns to protest FIU PD’s continued participation in the 287(g) program.
Attendees leaving the Board of Trustees meeting, shoppers at the farmers’ market, and students on the way to class could hear the chants of “ICE, ICE, shame on you. Immigrants have rights too.”
The 287(g) agreement was signed by the FIU PD in July 2025. Students and faculty have protested multiple times since then and have voiced concerns online. The agreement allows trained members of FIU PD to collaborate with ICE and perform certain federal immigration enforcement functions.
THE FIU PD’s stated purpose for signing the agreement is to facilitate cooperation if ICE is present on campus. President Jeanette Nuñez and Police Chief Casas have stated that FIU would be in control instead of being on “the back end” of a potential immigration detention issue at FIU.
The protest was hosted by the Young Democratic Socialists of America FIU chapter and the ICE Off FIU student coalition (also known as “ICE Breakers”). The event gathered over 40 protesters, all holding signs, some of which read “ No ICE on campus” and “Paws off our students”.
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Melanie Mahmoodi, communications director for “ICE Breakers” at FIU, was a speaker at the protest. She said, “We believe that this agreement is not in the best interests of the university. It’s not in the best interests of students or faculty. We actually believe that’s detrimental to campus safety and that it’s a waste of time, resources, and money.”
Yamile Marrero, a health law and health policy professor, was among the group of protesters. When asked about her thoughts regarding ICE on campus, she said, “It’s not proper, 287(g) should have never been signed.”
The group marched to the FIU Police Department after the protest to deliver a letter of demands asking for the FIU PD to end the 287(g) agreement and designate FIU as a sanctuary campus.
ICE enforcement operations continue to occur across the nation, and many at FIU have expressed concern about potential racial profiling due to approximately 64% of the student body being Hispanic/Latino.
FIU PD is not alone in signing a 287(g) agreement, as at least 15 college campuses had entered into similar agreements as of August 2025.
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