By Sydney Bachovin
CCC Journalism Program
BLACKWOOD — Students at Camden County College’s Blackwood campus have expressed concerns about their safety as immigration enforcement laws become stricter.
As of recently, immigration enforcement has grown more prevalent within America. The rise in enforcement has made students around Camden County College rather worried. According to the National Immigration Law Center, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers, otherwise known as I.C.E. officers, are allowed in any public space without a warrant. When it comes to campuses, I.C.E. officers are only allowed in private areas if given explicit permission by a campus official.
At Camden County College’s Blackwood campus, two students expressed their concerns about their safety on campus, about a month after an incident in nearby Lindenwold in which I.C.E. agents attempted a raid on a children’s bus stop.
Alexis Aviles is a 19-year-old Puerto Rican business major. She said she sometimes feels concerned about her safety. “I mean it varies. A lot of the time I see a couple of trucks passing by and I’m definitely, like, looking to see, but it gets scary.” Aviles added, “A lot of the schools nearby, they’ll go and make statements saying they’re not gonna let I.C.E. in and really dive into that. Me personally, I have not seen CCC say anything about that.”
Shane Bates is an 18-year-old cybersecurity major. While personally not affected by the growing circumstances, Bates said, “It makes me feel disgusted for the people involved and the community who go through that.”
As to the policy that I.C.E. officers are allowed in any public area without a warrant, Aviles said this makes her feel “definitely a lot less safe, considering the fact that they could just storm in asking for information.” Bates said about the policy, “That is incredibly concerning.”
Both offered suggestions about what CCC should do to alleviate these concerns. Aviles said, “I think definitely spreading awareness that they can just pop up on campus.” Bates said, “Probably telling them beforehand, like, ‘Hey we’re gonna come here and try to do this.’”
Camden County College’s Executive Director of Strategic Communications, Ronald Tomasello, said, “Camden County College does not have a policy specific to immigration enforcement.”
Aviles and Bates said the college should do more about the issue. “It’s a very frightening feeling when coming to campus for class and not knowing what could happen,” Aviles said. “I would absolutely love it if CCC could send out an official email or letter stating their protocols involving immigration enforcement.” Bates stated, “I think they should probably make some kind of policy, whether it’s good or bad, just to let people know what’s happening.”
In response, Tomasello provided this information in hopes of alleviating such concerns:
- Immigration officers may enter public spaces on campus without prior approval.
- You may ask to see their badge/identification. You may ask what agency they represent, especially if they are federal immigration agents.
- You have the right to remain silent and you are not required to answer questions. You may tell the immigration agent that you choose to remain silent.
- Private spaces, including classrooms, labs, faculty/administrative offices, meeting spaces for employees and employee break rooms cannot be entered by I.C.E. without permission or a judicial warrant.
- Never interfere with, run from, distract or otherwise engage with law enforcement officers who are in the process of conducting official operations.
- In the event you encounter immigration enforcement officers on campus, do not engage or interfere with the agents. Maintain a safe distance and notify the Department of Public Safety at (856) 374-5089.
- CCC will never share the citizenship status of its students.