Citing funding issues, U.S. Customs and Border Protection drops out of career fair

Editor’s Note: A previous version of this article incorrectly attributed comments regarding federal agents and self-defense to Daniel Bitton and stated that he was a member of the campus chapter of Young Americans for Liberty (YAL). Bitton is not a member of YAL, and the quotes in question were actually made by a different YAL member. The article was corrected online on March 10, and all references to Bitton and YAL in this context have been removed.

Students gathered outside Montana Hall last Thursday to protest the potential presence of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the upcoming MSU Career Fair.

According to Interim Vice President of University Communications Michael Becker, the federal immigration enforcement agency was originally registered for the fair, but canceled on Feb. 18 due to funding issues stemming from the partial government shutdown.

The Spring Career Fair is scheduled to take place on campus from Feb. 24 to 26. According to Greyson Moorman, a protest organizer and member of Students for a Democratic Society (SDS), the organization learned that CBP representatives would be recruiting at the upcoming career fair and called the Feb. 12 protest in response.

“We are trying to get [CBP] out of the career fair right now,” protester Kit Warren said. “We are not supporting the things they’re doing. We don’t want them invited onto our campus.”

The protest was co-organized by two campus organizations: SDS and the College Democrats of MSU. SDS is a national progressive student organization with chapters across the U.S., according to its website. College Democrats is a student organization passionate about progressive politics, according to its website.

Demonstrators said that the agency’s presence at the fair raises safety concerns, particularly for immigrant and international students.

“In light of recent events, specifically the execution of Alex Pretti, who was killed by CBP agents, we felt it was necessary to tell MSU administration that we don’t want CBP on campus,” said computer science major and SDS member Riley Ophus.

According to Becker, had CBP attended the career fair, it would only be there to connect with students.

“Recruiters at a job fair are not the same as a law enforcement presence on campus,” Becker said in an email to the Exponent on Feb. 18. “Having a table at the fair doesn’t give recruiters any more access to non-public MSU spaces or student information than they otherwise would have.”

Ophus said organizers are currently circulating a petition for a resolution through the Associated Students of MSU (ASMSU) that would prevent the University Police Department (UPD) from cooperating with federal immigration agents.

The petitioned resolution would also require agents to present a warrant before entering campus spaces and prohibit the University from sharing student citizenship information with immigration authorities, they said.

According to Becker, the University does not share or maintain records on student citizenship unless it is needed for visa or security clearance.

ASMSU President Lenny Triem said that the student government is not involved with the selection of employers at the career fair and that ASMSU is aware of students’ concerns.

“Various student groups and individuals have raised concerns during public comment at Senate meetings,” he said. “We've met with many of those students as well as leadership from MSU's Office of Legal Counsel and [UPD] in order to learn more about those student concerns as well as any relevant University, state and federal practices and policies.”

According to Becker, the presence of non-University law enforcement on campus is very rare. “In those instances where it does happen, it generally involved communication and coordination with our [UPD],” he said.

Additionally, Becker said that non-University law enforcement could visit any public space on campus. However, they would need warrants to enter spaces that aren’t open to the public, like residence halls, laboratories or classrooms while class is in session.

“If the situation ever arises, call UPD to make sure they are aware of the situation and so that they can also respond,” Becker said.

For more information about the Spring Career Fair, visit https://www.montana.edu/aycss/careers/events/career-fair/career-fair-students.html.