Olinto mandates in-person classes and exams amid ICE presence around campus

Provost Angela Olinto informed Columbia faculty in an email on Monday morning that all scheduled classes and exams must continue in person, despite concerns raised by students regarding the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers around campus. The email, which was obtained by the Columbia Daily Spectator, acknowledged the stress that the situation has caused for faculty, staff, and students, urging “generosity and mutual patience” as the university community navigates these challenges together. Olinto also noted that while faculty are required to hold classes in person per university guidelines, students may reach out individually to request accommodations if they are unable to attend.

The provost’s statement comes in response to growing concerns among students and faculty regarding the presence of immigration enforcement officers in and around Columbia’s Morningside campus. The Columbia Palestine Solidarity Coalition (CPSC) took to Instagram on Monday to share that many students have requested that their professors either move their classes online or cancel them entirely due to what they described as “safety risks” posed by the ICE officers’ presence. A widely circulated email template among students encouraged faculty to take immediate action by modifying class formats. The template cited reports of immigration agents stopping students and other pedestrians on campus, asserting that their presence has created an atmosphere of fear and distress, particularly for students at risk of being targeted.

In her email to faculty, Olinto did not address the specific claims about ICE enforcement actions near campus but reaffirmed that faculty members are expected to continue with in-person instruction. However, she emphasized that students who feel unsafe should communicate with their professors to seek accommodations, adding that the university hopes faculty will be “as helpful as possible” in handling such requests.

The situation has escalated following the recent arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian student in Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). Khalil, who was a lead negotiator during the April 2024 Gaza Solidarity Encampment protests, was detained by ICE last week. His arrest has prompted widespread outrage and calls for the university to publicly condemn his detention. The Columbia Palestine Solidarity Coalition criticized the administration’s silence, writing in their Instagram post that the university has yet to acknowledge Khalil’s arrest or support calls for his release.

According to the organization, a petition demanding Khalil’s release, which was initially signed by nearly one million people, has now surpassed two million signatures as of Monday evening. The petition, hosted by the Action Network, urges ICE to free Khalil immediately and criticizes what it describes as his arbitrary detention.

Public records from ICE’s Online Detainee Locator System indicate that Khalil is currently being held at the Central Louisiana ICE Processing Center in Jena, Louisiana. Louisiana has the highest number of detained migrants in the country and houses nine detention facilities. A 2024 report from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) described systemic human rights violations across Louisiana’s detention centers, citing cases of language barriers, denial of essential human needs, medical neglect, and discriminatory treatment against detainees.

The Columbia Palestine Solidarity Coalition expressed concern that the university’s refusal to take a stance on Khalil’s detention could be interpreted as tacit approval of anti-Palestinian racism. “Columbia’s silence is endangering Mahmoud,” the group stated in their Instagram post. “If they do not publicly denounce his arbitrary detention and demand his immediate release, their silence will be taken as further endorsement of anti-Palestinian racism.”

Despite the mounting pressure, Olinto’s email reinforced that any official changes to class modalities, including potential shifts to remote learning, would be announced directly by the provost’s office rather than by individual faculty members. While some professors may be willing to make informal accommodations for students who feel unsafe attending in-person classes, the university has not signaled any plans to alter its current policies.

The debate over in-person instruction amid ICE’s presence reflects broader tensions on campus related to issues of immigration enforcement, student activism, and the university’s response to politically charged events. Columbia has faced increasing scrutiny over its handling of student protests and its relationship with law enforcement, particularly following last year’s Gaza Solidarity Encampment demonstrations. Khalil’s arrest has only intensified these concerns, drawing national and international attention.

For many students, faculty, and activists, the stakes extend beyond classroom policies. The fear of immigration enforcement actions near campus has raised urgent questions about the university’s responsibility to protect its students, particularly those from vulnerable communities. The call for Columbia to take a definitive stand on Khalil’s detention continues to grow, with student organizations, advocacy groups, and members of the broader public demanding action.

As tensions persist, students and faculty remain uncertain about the path forward. While some professors may choose to accommodate students who feel unsafe, the administration’s decision to mandate in-person attendance signals a firm stance on maintaining standard academic operations despite the heightened concerns. Meanwhile, Khalil’s case remains unresolved, with activists continuing to push for his release and the university community grappling with the broader implications of his detention.

Columbia faculty and students will continue to monitor the situation as they await further updates from the university administration, ICE, and advocacy groups involved in the push for Khalil’s freedom.