St. John's University Suddenly Axes Partnership with Customs and Border Protection Amid Fierce Backlash.
In a surprise move, St. John's University has suspended its short-lived partnership with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), citing the "incompatibility" of the collaboration with the university's mission. The Institute for Border Security and Intelligence Studies, announced last June, was meant to train students in homeland security careers.
However, the decision comes as a result of an outcry from faculty, students, alumni, and Catholic Church leaders over the agency's mass deportation efforts, including recent fatal shootings of American citizens in Minneapolis. Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S.-born pontiff, has publicly criticized the Trump administration's enforcement initiative, labeling it "inhumane."
The suspension was quietly announced in a January 29 email from Law School Dean Jelani Jefferson Exum to faculty and confirmed by university administrator Simon G. Moller. The decision follows weeks of deliberation among university officials.
"This partnership very clearly flies in the face of the university's Catholic mission, Vincentian mission, and focus on justice and social justice," said Raj Chetty, a professor who had signed a petition opposing the partnership.
The news has been welcomed by members of "No CBP at SJU," a collective of faculty opposed to the partnership. The group argued that the collaboration was incompatible with the university's values.
St. John's Latin American Law Students Association and other campus organizations have also spoken out against enforcement activities by Department of Homeland Security officials, who have faced widespread criticism over their actions.
The suspension comes as outrage over federal immigration enforcement continues to grow, with Catholic leaders increasingly critical of the Trump administration's mass deportation efforts.
In a surprise move, St. John's University has suspended its short-lived partnership with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), citing the "incompatibility" of the collaboration with the university's mission. The Institute for Border Security and Intelligence Studies, announced last June, was meant to train students in homeland security careers.
However, the decision comes as a result of an outcry from faculty, students, alumni, and Catholic Church leaders over the agency's mass deportation efforts, including recent fatal shootings of American citizens in Minneapolis. Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S.-born pontiff, has publicly criticized the Trump administration's enforcement initiative, labeling it "inhumane."
The suspension was quietly announced in a January 29 email from Law School Dean Jelani Jefferson Exum to faculty and confirmed by university administrator Simon G. Moller. The decision follows weeks of deliberation among university officials.
"This partnership very clearly flies in the face of the university's Catholic mission, Vincentian mission, and focus on justice and social justice," said Raj Chetty, a professor who had signed a petition opposing the partnership.
The news has been welcomed by members of "No CBP at SJU," a collective of faculty opposed to the partnership. The group argued that the collaboration was incompatible with the university's values.
St. John's Latin American Law Students Association and other campus organizations have also spoken out against enforcement activities by Department of Homeland Security officials, who have faced widespread criticism over their actions.
The suspension comes as outrage over federal immigration enforcement continues to grow, with Catholic leaders increasingly critical of the Trump administration's mass deportation efforts.
It feels like just because some people don't like CBP's mass deportation efforts, the university is just gonna stop partnering with them altogether? I mean, isn't that kinda extreme? What if CBP wants to partner with them again in the future? Shouldn't there be a way to work through their differences or something? 
But at the same time... I guess if the partnership was really causing problems for the university's mission and values, then maybe it is better off just cutting ties. 
Its all cuz of that mass deportation thingy thats been goin on & causin so much pain 4 many ppl 
Pope Leo XIV even spoke out against it & now the univ is lik "nuh uh" to the whole thing. I mean I get it, its not exactly cool 2 hav a org w/ such a questionable track record doin biz w/ u. But still, cant say im surprised lol @ all the outrage from faculty & students who r like "hey thats not what we signed up 4" 
. I think the backlash was legit tho 
. Those fatal shootings in Minneapolis were really messed up 
. I'm not saying the university should've done it anyway, but a little more thoughtfulness would be nice 
. Pope Leo XIV is like the ultimate authority on this stuff 
. So yeah, I can see why they'd wanna distance themselves from CBP 
.
. I bet this is just going to be another way for SJU to play politics instead of focusing on actual education and research 
.
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it's about time someone spoke out against the inhumane policies. I'm loving how the No CBP at SJU collective is pushing back - we need more voices like theirs! 
. I mean, who needs Homeland Security training when you've got the Vatican and the Catholic Church weighing in on it? The Pope himself is speaking out against these mass deportations - that's like, major red flag right there 
. I'm surprised the university didn't see this coming from a mile away. But hey, at least they're standing up for their values and their students - gotta respect that 
anyway, glad to see the masses speaking out against some shady enforcement practices. i mean, who doesn't love a good moral high ground moment? 
btw, when does cbp start looking for new partners that don't have a conscience? 