Thirteen Anti-ICE Protesters Arrested Outside Columbia University After Blocking Entrance
NEW YORK, N.Y. — Thirteen protesters advocating against immigration enforcement were arrested Thursday afternoon outside Columbia University after blocking the main entrance for approximately 20 minutes, defying repeated orders from the New York City Police Department (NYPD) to disperse. The demonstrators, wearing black shirts emblazoned with slogans such as “Sanctuary Campus Now” and “ICE Off Campus,” gathered near the university’s main entrance around 1:30 p.m., demanding that the institution officially declare itself a sanctuary campus.
The NYPD responded to calls reporting the blockade and issued multiple warnings to the group to clear the entrance. When the protesters refused to comply, officers moved in and took thirteen individuals into custody, issuing criminal court summonses. It remains unclear whether those arrested were students or staff affiliated with Columbia University.
Protests targeting immigration enforcement policies have become increasingly prominent in New York City, where activists frequently challenge the role of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency. The sanctuary campus movement seeks to protect undocumented students and staff from federal immigration actions on college grounds, a cause that has garnered support from various academic communities nationwide.
Columbia University has faced pressure from student groups and faculty to adopt sanctuary policies, which would limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The recent demonstration reflects ongoing tensions surrounding immigration enforcement and institutional responses in higher education.
The NYPD’s intervention aligns with city protocols for managing civil disobedience and ensuring public safety, as outlined by the New York City Police Department. Officers’ actions to clear the blocked entrance were aimed at restoring access and maintaining order.
Advocates for sanctuary campuses argue that such designations create safer environments for undocumented individuals, protecting them from potential detention or deportation by federal agencies such as ICE. However, critics contend that these policies may hinder law enforcement efforts and complicate federal-local cooperation.
The Department of Homeland Security, which oversees ICE, has maintained that immigration enforcement remains a priority, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with local authorities where possible. According to DHS guidelines, federal agencies expect compliance with immigration laws even on university campuses.
As immigration remains a contentious issue nationally, demonstrations like the one at Columbia University highlight the ongoing debate between advocates for immigrant rights and enforcement agencies. The arrests underscore the challenges faced by law enforcement in balancing protester rights with public safety and institutional access.
The university has not issued an official statement regarding the protest or the arrests. Meanwhile, activists continue to push for sanctuary policies at Columbia and other institutions, reflecting broader national conversations about immigration, civil disobedience, and the role of educational institutions in social justice movements.
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