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University of Minnesota says graduate student was detained by ICE

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University of Minnesota says graduate student was detained by ICE


A graduate student at the University of Minnesota was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents Thursday at an off-campus residence, the school said in a statement.

Friday’s statement — signed by President Rebecca Cunningham, Vice President for Student Affairs Calvin Phillips and Vice President for Equity and Diversity Mercedes Ramírez Fernández — called the situation “deeply concerning.” The international student is enrolled in the Twin Cities campus, the school said.

The university said it did not have further information or more details on the situation. It also said it had no prior knowledge that the detention was happening and did not share any information with federal agents beforehand.

The school did not release the student’s name. The student’s nationality and visa type and status were unavailable.

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Neither ICE nor the Department of Homeland Security responded to requests for comment Saturday evening.

“It is important to note that our campus departments of public safety, including UMPD, do not enforce federal immigration laws, and our officers do not inquire about an individual’s immigration status,” the UMN statement said. “Their focus remains on public safety, fostering trust and maintaining strong relationships across the University community.”

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said Friday that he had been in touch with DHS to get information, and added that he would share more when he could.

“The University of Minnesota is an international destination for education and research. We have any number of students studying here with visas, and we need answers,” Walz said on X.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called the student’s detainment “deeply troubling” in a post on X.

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“Educational environments must be places where all students can focus on learning and growing without fear,” Frey said.

This latest arrest comes on the heels of other arrests of international students at American universities.

Mahmoud Khalil, a graduate student at Columbia University who led student protests at the New York school last spring, was arrested by federal immigration agents earlier this month and was told his student visa was being revoked.

Khalil, a legal permanent resident of the United States, was accused of supporting Hamas, a designated terrorist organization. A lawyer of his rejected the claim, saying there is no evidence Khalil provided support of any kind to a terrorist organization.

Khalil is being held in federal custody in Louisiana after U.S. District Judge Jesse M. Furman ruled he cannot be deported “to preserve the court’s jurisdiction” as it weighs a filing challenging his arrest and planned deportation.

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Rumeysa Ozturk, a graduate student at Tufts University who is a Turkish national in the U.S. on what her attorney said was a valid student visa, was similarly arrested by federal immigration agents Tuesday and is also being held in Louisiana. Her arrest was caught on video, with Ozturk’s lawyer saying she was on her way to meet friends for iftar, a meal that breaks the day-time fast observed by Muslims during Ramadan, when she was arrested.

A court order Friday blocked Ozturk’s deportation while U.S. District Judge Denise Casper determines whether she has jurisdiction over the case.

An Iranian doctoral student at the University of Alabama, Alireza Doroudi, and a Russian medical researcher at Harvard University, Kseniia Petrova, were both detained by immigration agents this week as well.



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Minneapolis, MN

Judge dismisses Department of Justice lawsuit and consent decree with Minneapolis police

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Judge dismisses Department of Justice lawsuit and consent decree with Minneapolis police


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Minneapolis, MN

SUV collides with Metro Transit bus in Minneapolis, police say

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SUV collides with Metro Transit bus in Minneapolis, police say



SUV collides with Metro Transit bus in Minneapolis, police say – CBS Minnesota

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Three people are in the hospital after an SUV collided with a Metro Transit bus in Minneapolis on Monday night.

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George Floyd’s 5-year remembrance culminates in candlelight vigil

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George Floyd’s 5-year remembrance culminates in candlelight vigil


It has been five years since George Floyd was murdered by a former Minneapolis police officer.

On the anniversary of his death, the remembrance of his legacy and calls for police reform echoed throughout the streets of the city as people gathered to pay their respects.

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Lighting the way forward

The backstory:

Five years ago, the viral video of Floyd begging for mercy for more than nine minutes struck a chord with millions and helped inspire a call for police reform and justice. The global reaction led to protests, some fiery in Minneapolis.

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Derek Chauvin remains behind bars with a sentence of more than 20 years.

The remembrance:

It was a mix of emotions at 38th and Chicago over the weekend as Floyd’s family, friends, and community gathered to remember at the place where it all happened five years ago.

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Parts of the festival were lively, including live concerts, local vendors and food trucks. Then the mood ended on a somber note with a vigil, prayer and worship.

 Candles were lit in honor of George Floyd on Sunday evening as his family led a march remembering lives lost.

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What they’re saying:

Floyd’s family said it doesn’t get easier, but purpose and faith keep them going.

“I woke up, it was really emotional. This was the day that he was actually killed,” said Angela Harrelson, Floyd’s aunt. “It was just emotional. Then I think about how far we have come. How much work is left to do that’s undone.”

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“Just thinking about gosh, I wish he was still here,” said Paris Stevens, Floyd’s cousin. “I’m always optimistic that as long as we have breath, we are his pulse. We’re going to keep moving and pushing for justice for all.”

Big picture view:

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This anniversary comes at a time when police reform efforts are being rolled back at the federal level.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said the city will carry on implementing reform.

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