University of Toledo Students Lead "No ICE Protest"
- The Collegian
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
By: Lauren York
Aidden Johnson
Megan Matthews
TOLEDO, Ohio– Groups of students came together at the University of Toledo’s Centennial Mall on February 6, chanting and holding signs as part of a massive “No ICE in Ohio” walkout. Organized by the UToledo chapter of the Ohio Student Association (OSA), the demonstration transformed the heart of campus into a protest regarding immigrant rights as many individuals shared personal stories and demanded changes to the university’s safety protocols. While the atmosphere was energized, OSA leaders made sure to issue strict instructions for a nonviolent protest, advising anyone who joins to avoid any interactions with potential counter-protesters.
At the heart of the protest was a specific list of demands aimed at the university administration. The protest was meant to pressure the administration to take a stronger stance on student safety, especially for undocumented students living in Ohio and on campus.
OSA President Karina Delgado described a vision for a campus that actively resists cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
We demand that our administration inform the public of the University's policy and procedures towards ICE through a website page, with all students, faculty, and staff receiving text and e-mail.
Delgado continues with the other demands of OSA for the university’s administration include the following:
● Refusal of any and all data sharing with ICE that isn’t legally mandated, protecting the
private information of students and staff.
● Deny the entry of ICE to all campus buildings.
● Treat the arrival of ICE agents on campus as the highest level of security by allowing
staff and students to receive emergency alerts for their arrival.
● Pledging not to sign the 287(g) agreement, which would deputize campus police as
immigration agents.
● Do not allow campus police to assist ICE outside of legally required interactions and
don’t commit to voluntary agreements working with ICE. Campus police should be
protecting the students, faculty, and staff from ICE agents.
“My grandfather came here as an immigrant from Mexico around 1950. Came to America that
celebrated diversity and inclusion,” Delgado said. “Where we’re heading now… It's just fascism, and I’m scared for my grandfather now, even though he has his citizenship. If people will judge him based on the color of his skin.”
Many students at the protest focused on the moral implications of immigration enforcement. Aamenah Mohamed, a freshman Pharmaceutical Sciences major and child of an Egyptian
immigrants, argued that the current system denies many constitutional values.
No one is illegal on stolen land, It's ridiculous, five-year-olds are speaking up for themselves in court. It's infurating, and I don't think we're angry enough.
For many other people who participated, the protest was more about family legacy rather than
policies. Rudy Velasquez, President of the Global Latinx Student Union (GLSU) and a U.S.
Army veteran spoke about the "identity crisis” caused by the current political climate in the
world.
I did serve for the United States Army, and I did give back to this community. And just to see the United States want us out of here..it's something that tears me personally
Velasquez expresses further by stating, “My family, even though they are documented, still have that fear.”
People from many corners of Toledo’s campus came to support the protest, even those who have no personal history with ICE or immigration. Macin Petry, a nursing student, arrived at the mall to support his friends and brothers of color. Responding to a question about "What would you like to say to ICE?"
ICE, please leave. Everybody is equal.
Dr. Sammy Spann, Vice Provost and Dean of Students, representing the university, arrived in support of everyone protesting. While discussing the protest, Span expressed great pride in the students’ desire to exercise their rights. Telling the reporter,
I would tell them thank you for using their First Amendment Right, free speech, and being as cordial and accepting to everyone that have came around and supporting the cause and having their voices heard. I’m very proud of them for that.
As the event finished, the main message from OSA was clear: the university must choose
between silence and the protection of its most vulnerable students from the situation at hand.
OSA vice president, Nevaeh Schaeffer, expresses,
School is a privilege that all students should be able to experience safely
