Last week, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers were spotted recruiting on the University of North Florida campus.
On Tuesday, Jan. 20, a user on the UNF Reddit page posted a photo of two officers between Building 2, Founders Hall and Building 4, Skinner-Jones Hall. Reddit moderators have since removed the post, sparking a polarizing debate in its replies.
Under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), CBP and Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) are primarily responsible for the enforcement of immigration law.
Due to recent fatal shootings involving both CBP and ICE agents, UNF professors expressed frustration with CBP’s presence on campus and explained their hesitancy in speaking out.
A UNF spokesperson responded to pushback over CBP’s recruitment, explaining that the agency has been recruiting on campus “since 2018”.
Professors Speak Out
According to sociology professor David Jaffee, while ICE is an agency tasked with domestic interior immigration violations and CBP is responsible for border security, both agencies are “effectively one and the same”.
“[T]hey are both engaged in aggressive, violent and unconstitutional raids on undocumented immigrants and citizens alike.”
Jaffee referred to the recent shootings in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and denounced CBP and ICE on campus.
“I am personally opposed to having recruitment for either agency on a university campus, given the way in which they exercise authority, and I would hope that universities would consider the wisdom of having them recruit students on our campus.”
Jaffee suggests CBP has turned to campus recruitments due to “declining public support”.
“Most reports I have read indicate minimal training or screening of recruits,” said Jaffee. “I do not think working with either agency would enhance a student’s career prospects.”
UNF Faculty Association (FA) President James Beasley shared that the UNF FA recently drafted a resolution calling for UNF to withdraw from its 287(g) agreement with ICE.
Installed in July 2025, the 287(g) agreement established that the UNFPD would be trained to administer federal immigration enforcement.
Beasley shared that the killing of Renee Good on Jan. 7 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, prompted the FA to consider the implications of allowing ICE, or a similar agency like CBP, on campus.
“Subsequent to [Good’s] death, the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement has issued several statements that constitute a danger to the faculty, students, and staff of UNF, including the complete immunity of ICE officers from actions resulting in the death of those legally protesting ICE presence,” said Beasley.
On campus, students have held multiple rallies and demonstrations to protest ICE and CBP on campus in an effort to dismantle the agreement.
“This agreement creates an unsafe environment for the protection of free expression on the UNF campus,” said Beasley.
“For all of these reasons, we call on UNF leadership to denounce these actions by withdrawing from these agreements with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement.”
While some professors feel they are in a position to speak out about these DHS agencies on campus, non-tenured faculty members fear the repercussions of doing so.
A UNF professor decided to remain anonymous when speaking on the matter.
“As a non-tenured faculty member, it’s good for my career to abstain from commenting publicly on this issue,” said the UNF professor. “It’s a shame I fear reprisal for speaking freely, but that’s the state of the state of Florida.”
University Input
A UNF spokesperson revealed that employers such as CBP and ICE must register in advance for on-campus recruiting events, according to the spokesperson.
They also confirmed that ICE was not present on campus last Tuesday.
“Immigration & Customs Enforcement has never attended recruiting events at UNF and has not signed up for future events,” said the spokesperson.
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