A Quiet Suspension: St. John's University's Controversial Partnership with Customs and Border Protection
St. John's University has made a bold move, suspending its partnership with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), a decision that has sparked debate and divided opinions.
But here's where it gets controversial: the partnership, aimed at training students for careers in homeland security, faced strong opposition from within the university community. Faculty, students, and alumni voiced their concerns, leading to a suspension of the initiative.
The Institute for Border Security and Intelligence Studies, as it was known, was short-lived. Law School Dean Jelani Jefferson Exum announced the decision in an email, stating that the partnership was "currently incompatible with the mission of St. John's." This about-face was confirmed by Simon G. Moller, the university's spokesperson.
Moller explained, "After discussions with CBP, we mutually agreed to suspend the partnership before its one-year renewal." This move comes at a time when federal immigration enforcement practices are under intense scrutiny, with fatal shootings of American citizens in Minneapolis adding fuel to the fire.
And this is the part most people miss: the university's decision is not isolated. It reflects a larger reckoning within the Catholic Church, with leaders increasingly critical of the Trump administration's deportation policies and their impact on non-white communities.
Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S.-born pontiff, has been vocal in his criticism, calling out the administration's "inhuman treatment of immigrants."
The suspension was met with applause from the "No CBP at SJU" collective, a group of faculty members opposed to the partnership. Raj Chetty, a professor of English and member of the collective, stated, "It's the right thing to do." He added that the partnership went against the university's Catholic and Vincentian missions, which focus on justice and social justice.
Jefferson Exum's email was the first official word of St. John's change of heart. In it, she wrote, "The University has suspended its partnership with CBP, recognizing that it does not align with our institutional values."
Last year, St. John's announced its plans to create an institute to nurture "the next generation of homeland security professionals." The university signed an agreement with CBP officials, including Frank Russo, a St. John's alum and director of field operations at CBP's New York office. Russo had praised the partnership, recognizing the value of St. John's students' contributions to homeland security.
However, the university has since removed the announcement from its website, a clear indication of the changing dynamics.
Outrage over Department of Homeland Security enforcement activities continues to grow, with the St. John's Latin American Law Students Association speaking out against the shooting deaths of U.S. citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. The group, along with other campus organizations, called for action, stating, "This moment demands more than silence or neutrality."
The suspension of the program also reflects the increasing outcry from Catholic leaders, including Bishop Robert Brennan of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn, who has spoken out against immigration enforcement practices.
In an essay co-authored with two other bishops, Brennan wrote, "Too many of our brothers and sisters live in fear due to their race or ethnicity. This fear is a daily reality for many in our communities."
So, what does this mean for the future of St. John's and its partnerships? Will other universities follow suit? The decision to suspend this partnership has opened a can of worms, and the debate is far from over. What are your thoughts on this controversial move? Feel free to share your opinions in the comments below!
