On Tuesday morning, federal immigration agents apprehended a student near San Diego City College and briefly chased another onto the campus grounds.
According to reports, unmarked ICE vehicles intercepted a car around 9:30 a.m., arresting the driver who was suspected to be a student at the college.
Another student, who was a passenger in the vehicle, fled into the campus area. Officials from the college stated that the agents ceased their pursuit once it became clear that the student had entered college property.
Locals captured video footage showing the first student being taken into custody. This incident led to a reaction from students on campus, who gathered to express their concerns and wrote messages in chalk on the pavement.
Following the arrest, San Diego City College announced it was offering counseling and legal support to its students and staff.
The college reached out to ICE for a response, as federal immigration authorities are not entirely restricted from college campuses.
ICE’s current policy designates educational institutions as “sensitive locations,” but this doesn’t entirely bar enforcement actions from occurring there. In certain cases, planned enforcement at these sites needs extra approval, especially if there’s an imminent threat to life or safety.
Public areas are generally handled differently than private spaces, like offices and residence halls, where access is controlled. Entering a nonpublic area usually requires permission or a judicial warrant, depending on the situation.
Reports indicated that the agents halted their chase once the student reached college property.
