Arizona State University’s Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law announced U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement would no longer participate in its Government and Public Interest Table Talks career event after a student-led petition garnered more than 650 signatures demanding ICE’s removal. Opposition came primarily from left-leaning campus groups, and the law school confirmed ICE withdrew amid mounting pressure.
The petition was organized by the National Lawyers Guild chapter at ASU after a law student officer spotted ICE listed as a participating employer on the event roster. It drew endorsements from several student organizations including the Native American Law Student Association and the Chicano/Latino Law Students Association. Groups such as Students for Justice in Palestine and Planned Parenthood Generation Action also promoted the petition on social media.
Dean Stacy Leeds told law students in an email that ASU Law does not select or endorse employers and that federal law forbids discrimination against government agencies, including law enforcement. She noted the school’s role was to provide exposure to a broad range of employers, and that students can decide for themselves which organizations to engage.
ICE was scheduled to host a recruiting table, giving law students an opportunity to learn about career paths in immigration law and federal service. The decision to withdraw came shortly before the event’s start date, with ASU confirming the federal agency informed the law school of its decision to pull out.
Critics of the petition argued the student protest represents a broader trend on college campuses where political activism supersedes professionalism and free exploration of career opportunities. Supporters of ICE’s participation pointed out that federal law enforcement agencies often employ attorneys and legal professionals, and exposure to such opportunities is vital for law graduates.
National Lawyers Guild statements celebrated the outcome as a win for marginalized students, claiming that ICE’s presence would create an unsafe environment for immigrant and student-of-color communities. ASU groups publicly framed the protest around concerns about fear and family separation linked to immigration enforcement.
ASU Law continues to host annual career networking events designed to connect JD students with employers across sectors. In her message to students, Dean Leeds reaffirmed that employer participation is voluntary and emphasized the school’s commitment to equal access to career information for all students
