Public institutions across the country invest in the private prison operators of immigration detention centers and contract directly with the federal immigration enforcement agency.
MacKenzie Murdoch says she was surprised to learn that her state’s university system receives money from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
The 18-year-old rising sophomore at Northern Vermont University decided to reach out to school officials to voice her concern. She also started a petition calling for the state’s public colleges to end their ties with ICE.
“I didn’t understand why we would have any connection to ICE,” says Murdoch. “I think that the mission Vermont State Colleges has for its schools doesn’t line up with any connection to family separations and the treatment of immigrants being detained.”
Murdoch’s campaign comes amid a sea of calls from students and immigration activists who want state and local governments, public colleges and politicians to sever their financial ties with companies and agencies involved in detaining immigrants. There is also a movement growing to abolish ICE.
GOVERNING.COM
BY CANDICE NORWOOD | JULY 30, 2018