A toolkit designed for students by the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) and several other organizations is promoting campaigns against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and calling for universities to “create a crisis.” This campaign strategy, titled the “Schools Drop ICE” toolkit, seeks to unite majoritarian outreach with nonviolent direct action to put pressure on university administrators.
The aim of this initiative, developed in partnership with groups like Young Democratic Socialists of America and the Sunrise Movement, is to compel hundreds of universities to cut ties with companies that support ICE operations, including Enterprise, Target, Hilton, Flock, and certain airlines associated with deportations. The belief is that if universities withdraw their contracts, those companies will be pressured to do the same with ICE.
One aspect of the plan involves chartering flights with airlines known to be used for deportation purposes. A website for the campaign addresses the ethical concerns of students potentially flying on these “deportation airlines.” It also notes Avero Air ended its involvement in deportation flights following protests.
Further, the toolkit points to Flock’s surveillance cameras, which reportedly send data directly to ICE through local law enforcement. There’s also emphasis on Enterprise, which provides vehicles to ICE agents, with advocates suggesting universities switch rental providers without financial loss as a protest.
The campaign identifies Hilton as another key target, noting the company’s connections to ICE activities near detention centers and its staffing practices during enforcement. A former Hilton facility had its branding removed after backlash against its handling of immigration officials compared to its stated commitment to nondiscrimination. Lastly, Target is included in the campaign, which aims for consumer pressure near educational institutions.
The overarching goal, echoed by Ethan Rome, national director involved with the initiative, is to ensure that campuses remain welcoming and safe for everyone, regardless of immigration status. The toolkit aims to educate and mobilize campuses against what it characterizes as ICE’s harmful actions while maintaining a strict stance against violence and vandalism in its protests.
While various institutions involved have been contacted for comments, responses from some organizations have not yet come through. In the meantime, the situation surrounding ICE has led to an uptick in threats and assaults against immigration officials, as reported by the Department of Homeland Security.
