Elio Leturia, an associate professor in the School of Communication and Culture, has decided to start carrying his passport with him at all times.
Leturia, who is from Peru, has lived in the United States for over 31 years and been a U.S. citizen for nearly 20.
“It worries me because I think that no one is supposed to live in fear,” Leturia said. “I have embraced this culture, and I live here and I am a law-abiding citizen. I still have an accent. That’s part of who I am.”
Leturia’s unease echoes a wider anxiety on campus.
When masked and armed Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents patrolled through downtown Chicago this weekend, grabbing people and making arrests, it sent ripples through the school community. Students and faculty said the sudden presence of federal agents felt alarming, particularly for Latino students and others from immigrant families. The concern comes as the Trump administration intensifies immigration enforcement in Chicago and other cities, raising fears on campus and prompting the college to reassure students with safety messages and support services.
The college sent an email on Sunday, Sept. 28, notifying students, faculty and staff that 40 Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were spotted in Grant Park across from the 618 S. Michigan Ave. building. The email also referred students to the dean of students with any questions and directed them to the college’s website for information about potential National Guard and ICE activity.
“We’re all under stress and of course very disappointed that in a democracy, these kinds of things could happen,” said Marcelo Sabatés, a professor in the School of Communication and Culture.
At a press conference on Monday, Sept. 29, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said that he was informed by the Illinois National Guard that the Department of Homeland Security is requesting the deployment of 100 military troops to Illinois.
Later that same day, in a social media post, Pritzker urged Illinois residents to record any federal immigration activity they saw and share on social media, ask for badge and identification numbers and look out for their neighbors.
“We need to let the world know this is happening — and that we won’t stand for it,” he wrote in a Facebook post.
Sabates teaches “Hispanics in the U.S. Since 1800” this semester. Before class started on Tuesday, Sept. 30, students talked to the Chronicle about their fears.
“While I may be a citizen, I know many others that are not, and regardless of who is in the area, I still worry for everyone’s safety,” said Felix Castro, a sophomore fine arts major.
Anissa Aguilar, a junior illustration major who is Latina, said that her mother has been warning her lately about going to campus.
Aguilar said that she is feeling “aggravated” at the federal enforcement’s conduct in Chicago.
“It’s pure racism,” she said. “That’s what it is, blatantly.”
Throughout the classes he teaches, Sabatés said that he shares resources about safety with his students.
Sabatés said his main concern right now is for Latino students. He is worried that the presence of federal immigration agents so close to campus will not only affect their academic performance but also contribute to mental health issues.
“This is very traumatic,” he said. “The level of trauma could vary from family to family, but it’s very concerning.”
Federal agents were already conducting raids throughout the city, and residents had been on alert for weeks in anticipation that Trump might send National Guard troops to the city. But this was the first time agents were seen downtown near tourist sites and in such large numbers.
“It creates an environment of heightened anxiety and unease, where the campus no longer feels like a fully secure or welcoming space,” said Stefanie Valle Aguilera, co-president of the Latino Alliance student group on campus.
Douglas Eck, dean of students, said that the safety and well-being of students is one of the college’s top priorities, along with keeping buildings and residence halls secure 24/7 for student and faculty safety.
“Faculty, staff and my office are here to support them and help them navigate available campus and community support,” he told the Chronicle.
Carmelo Esterrich, an associate professor in the School of Communication and Culture who is Puerto Rican, said he is “actively scared” about ICE being around Columbia, especially since the college is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution. As of 2024, 27.6% of the student body identifies as Hispanic.
“They are so shamelessly profiling,” he said. “It doesn’t really matter if you’re an American citizen or not; if you look the wrong type, they might at least harass you.”
But Esterrich said that he is not carrying his passport around.
“I am an American citizen, and I don’t need to prove it,” he said.
Leturia, who teaches a “Latino Voices” course that has a large percentage of Latino students, has told the class that the world can change in a second and that they must be prepared for whatever may happen.
“Even though we supposedly live in the land of democracy and freedom, there are things that have changed,” he said. “So we should not just think that this is forever.”
Additional reporting by Vivian Richey and Marc Balbarin
Copy edited by Vanessa Orozco
Resumen en español
La presencia de agentes de ICE en el centro de Chicago ha generado miedo y ansiedad entre estudiantes y profesores de Columbia College, especialmente en la comunidad latina. El hecho que Columbia sea una institución designada como una Institución al Servicio de Hispanos (Hispanic-Serving Institution) aumenta la inquietud por posibles casos de perfilamiento y acoso.
El profesor asociado Elio Leturia ha decidido cargar su pasaporte a la mano por temor, a pesar de ser ciudadano estadounidense, mientras que su colega Carmelo Esterrich se niega a hacerlo. Profesores como Marcelo Sabatés advierten sobre el impacto traumático en la seguridad y salud mental de los estudiantes latinos. Algunos alumnos expresaron preocupación por sus familias y denunciaron el racismo detrás de los operativos.
La universidad envió mensajes de seguridad y ofreció apoyo, mientras que el gobernador JB Pritzker condenó las redadas e insistió que los residentes documentaran la actividad federal.
Resumen escrito por Manuel Nocera
Editado por Brandon Anaya
