The killings of two U.S. citizens by federal agents in Minneapolis last month marked a sharp escalation in immigration enforcement tactics, signaling a new level of risk for communities nationwide. For institutions in Chicago, including Columbia College, that shift demands preparation, not passive monitoring, before federal agents return.
Last fall, when federal agents were in Chicago for Operation Midway Blitz, community members tracked unmarked vehicles and blew whistles to warn neighbors — and largely did so without arrest or physical harm. That approach worked because federal agents followed more predictable patterns and exercised restraint. Recent events in Minneapolis suggest that those limits no longer apply. Lethal force against unarmed civilians and the targeting of witnesses engaged in First Amendment activity represents a significant escalation in federal enforcement.
Columbia’s response last fall reflected an institution navigating uncertainty rather than confrontation. The college issued notifications when Border Patrol appeared around campus in the Loop, keeping students, faculty and staff informed without taking a public stance on federal operations. That approach was appropriate at the time. But the threat level for students is higher this spring, and monitoring alone is no longer sufficient. Surveillance was once the primary task of federal agents. Recent events show enforcement now includes lethal force and the arrest of witnesses. Columbia’s formal classification last year as a Hispanic-Serving Institution brings with it a heightened responsibility to recognize that shift and to act accordingly.
Immigration enforcement disproportionately affects Latino communities. Columbia’s Latino students are more likely to have family members affected and more likely to witness enforcement actions in their neighborhoods. These students deserve to have increased support provided by the school in a time when community trauma is occurring too frequently.
But as we’ve seen in Minnesota, any person of color and anyone who speaks in accented English could be targeted regardless of immigration status. We applaud the International Student and Scholar Services for advising international students to carry a photocopy of their main passport ID and a copy of their I-94. That was necessary.
Columbia cannot predict federal actions, but being prepared requires the school to acknowledge that the events of last fall are no longer our current reality.
Columbia must implement concrete protections before federal immigration enforcement returns to Chicago. A flexible attendance policy would allow students most affected by enforcement activity to participate in classes remotely during periods of uncertainty, without academic penalty. The college should also partner with Chicago-based legal organizations to offer on-campus know-your-rights workshops. Clear guidance on how to respond to enforcement encounters is not optional; it is a necessary counterweight to the fear and confusion spreading across campus, as the Chronicle previously reported.
Columbia could also create additional spaces where students can access legal and mental health resources on campus for help around immigration-related concerns.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker have both voiced opposition to aggressive federal enforcement, but they have offered no protective measures. Columbia cannot wait for city or state leadership to act. The school has the responsibility to ensure all students can safely access education.
Now is the time for Columbia to prepare for what is to come. Minneapolis is a warning for Chicago, and the college must respond before its students face consequences.
Copy edited by Katie Peters
