The Woke Columbia University: A Battle Over ICE Recruitment
The Storm Over ICE Recruitment at Columbia University
In the heart of Columbia University, a storm erupted when left-leaning faculty and students mobilized to torpedo an ICE recruitment event. The meltdown was triggered by an ad on the website of Columbia’s School of Professional Studies for a US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) virtual career expo, scheduled for February 18. The ad described the event as a unique opportunity to learn more about the CBP's mission and how individuals could contribute to it, making a positive impact on themselves, their community, and their country.
The backlash was immediate and furious. Journalism professor Helen Benedict raged on social media, calling it 'capitulation' and demanding alumni to write in and cancel donations. Her colleague, journalism professor Nina Berman, fumed about the 'depravity' of the situation.
Students and faculty quickly flooded the school with demands to pull the event, arguing that it undermined campus trust, made parts of the community feel targeted or unsafe, and further damaged Columbia’s public standing by reinforcing the view that it is complicit in the turn towards authoritarianism. They stated that 'silence will be read as consent'.
The Woke vs. The System
Since its Morningside Heights campus became the epicenter of nationwide pro-Palestinian protests in 2024, Columbia has found itself pulled between the demands of its largely left-leaning school community and mounting pressure from federal officials over antisemitism concerns. The university faced federal civil-rights investigations and a threat from the Trump administration to yank $400 million in federal funding, prompting negotiations. It ended up settling for $200 million and disciplining close to 80 students.
The university’s Young Democratic Socialist of America chapter blasted the university, saying, 'Our university is not just complicit, it is actively facilitating the recruitment of people like Border Patrol Agent Jesus Ochoa and Customs and Border Protection Officer Raymundo Guttierez, the two killers of Alex Pretti'.
The Battle Continues
Columbia quickly caved, pulling the promotional page by the end of the day on February 11. However, the event itself will go on. As universities across the country begin hosting their spring career fairs, many have faced pressure from students over government agencies such as the CBP being invited.
Earlier this week, the University of Maine removed the CBP as an attending employer to its annual career fair after threats from students of boycotting the event. In Missouri, the feds pulled out of the University of Saint Louis’ upcoming job fair after school administrators told them they expected disruptions from students.
The Way Forward
Columbia said the CBP recruitment event ended up on the school’s website through a third-party platform it uses to manage its job board. In response to the backlash, it decided it would only promote its own events on the school’s website going forward. A university spokesperson stated, 'The University do not control or select the employers available on the . . . network. Job opportunities or career expo events made available on the platform should not be construed as a sponsorship or endorsement by . . . the university'.
The Question for You
What do you think? Is Columbia right to only promote its own events on its website? Or is it a sign of weakness and a failure to stand up for what it believes in? Share your thoughts in the comments below and let’s have a discussion!
