The leaders of Florida International University (FIU) have signed an agreement to deputize the school’s police force as immigration agents. This decision has sparked debates and concerns within the community. While some support the move as a means to enhance security, others feel disappointed that FIU might have capitulated too easily without opposition.
On September 19, 2026, at 6:00 a.m. EDT, students protested the agreement during an April meeting of the FIU board of trustees held in Miami. The students stood up in unison and unzipped their sweatshirts to reveal matching T-shirts with a bold message: “ICE off FIU.” Their protest represented a direct response to the university administration’s compliance with demands to incorporate immigration duties into its campus policing responsibilities.
This protest was part of a broader series titled “Fight or Fold: How American institutions are responding to President Trump’s demands,” highlighting how different organizations react to the national government’s initiatives.