Important update: Graduate student detained

Dear students, faculty and staff,

We are writing to inform you about a deeply concerning situation involving one of our international graduate students at the University of Minnesota.

We learned that, on March 27 at an off-campus residence, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials detained a graduate student enrolled on our Twin Cities campus. We are actively working to gather more details about this incident.

In cases like this, the University takes steps to ensure students are connected to internal resources and support, such as Student Legal Service and International Student and Scholar Services.

The University had no prior knowledge of this incident and did not share any information with federal authorities before it occurred.

It is important to note that our campus departments of public safety, including UMPD, do not enforce federal immigration laws, and our officers do not inquire about an individual’s immigration status. Their focus remains on public safety, fostering trust and maintaining strong relationships across the University community.

As we work to gather more information, please know the University has information, resources and FAQs about federal immigration policies available on the Rapid Response website.

We understand how distressing this news may be for members of our University community. If you or someone you know needs mental health support during this time, please visit mentalhealth.umn.edu, which connects you to resources across all five campuses.

Rebecca Cunningham
President

Calvin Phillips
Vice President for Student Affairs

Mercedes Ramírez Fernández
Vice President for Equity and Diversity