UCLA Graduate Student Detained at U.S.-Mexico Border
A graduate student from UCLA has been detained by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the U.S.-Mexico border, a situation that has drawn significant attention and responses from faculty and students at the university. The incident occurred on Wednesday night as the student attempted to re-enter the U.S. from Mexico, prompting a rally in her support that took place on campus the following evening.
Details of the Detention
The student’s identity and nationality have not been disclosed. UCLA Vice Chancellor for Strategic Communications, Mary Osako, confirmed the detention, stating, “UCLA has learned that an international graduate student was detained by United States Customs and Border Protection while attempting to enter the United States from Mexico.” She further emphasized the importance of international students to the university community and mentioned ongoing efforts to gather more information regarding the situation.
The detention took place at the San Ysidro border crossing, just south of San Diego. Reports indicate that the student managed to contact a representative from UCLA before being taken into custody, but no information is currently available regarding the reasons for her detention or her visa status.
Concerns Amid Visa Cancellations
This incident occurs amidst a broader context of heightened immigration enforcement actions involving international students in the United States. Since late March, the Trump administration has reportedly revoked over 1,000 visas for foreign students, including more than 120 in California and approximately 20 at UCLA. Recently, similar situations have been reported at other universities as well, including the detention of a UC San Diego student at the border.
The underlying reasons for these visa cancellations remain unclear, although reports suggest they follow criminal records checks. Some attorneys have stated that these checks may involve minor infractions like speeding tickets, raising concerns about the fairness and justification of such enforcement actions.
Community Response
The detention of the UCLA student has spurred a rally on the campus, where around 150 community members gathered in front of Murphy Hall. Participants held signs expressing solidarity and support for the detained student, with messages such as “Hands off our students” and pro-Palestinian slogans. Faculty members also spoke out during the event, urging the university to advocate for the rights and protections of its students. Graeme Blair, an associate professor of political science, remarked, “We’ve been warning the university for weeks that students would be detained.”
Additionally, Ariela Gross, a UCLA law and history professor, highlighted the university’s moral obligation to defend its students, indicating a need for institutional support in the face of changing immigration policies and enforcement actions.
Continuing Advocacy
The concerns surrounding international student safety and security in the current immigration climate continue to grow. As the situation develops, UCLA officials are committed to finding out more about the arrested student’s status and advocating for all international students’ rights within the educational framework of the university.