On Thursday, approximately 10 students and alumni set up a table and tent to protest U.S. Customs and Border Protection recruiting at the Samford University job fair on campus. The protest was just weeks after students on campus voted overwhelmingly that "Ice is good for society" in an informal poll conducted by Samford's Turning Point USA chapter.
Jacob Hoffman, the president of the TPUSA chapter, told 1819 News that he stopped by to speak to those protesting. The organizers told him that they had been planning the gathering since they found out that CBP would be participating in the job fair.
"They were very respectful and civil," Hoffman, who posted about their friendliness on TPUSA's social media, said.
"To the Samford students who were protesting CBP today, thank you for remaining civil and respectful. We may not have agreed on everything, but it was still a pleasure to get to speak to you and briefly debate our ideas," Hoffman wrote.
"This is the kind of healthy dialogue and [environment] that Turning Point promotes, and it is necessary to the free exchange of ideas," he concluded.
During their poll last week, the group found approximately 130 “Yes” votes and 30 “No” votes.
According to AL(dot)com, the group initially attempted to have the invitation for CBP revoked, but Dora Ditchfield, the director of the career center, stood by the school's decision.
"We believe it is important to continue providing opportunities for students who are interested in such governmental and non-profit connections, as well as the for-profit organizations we will be hosting the following day,” Ditchfield reportedly wrote back to those who wanted the school to disinvite the agency.
During a previous investigation into Woke diversity, equity, and inclusion policies and programs, 1819 News unearthed a 2017 statement from school president Beck Taylor expressing his support for illegal immigrants and laying out a plan for Whitworth University to provide services for students, both documented and illegal.
In that plan, Taylor laid out the following services, which included support for legal and illegal immigrants:
- Continue meeting with undocumented students to better understand their concerns; Identify and reach out to other vulnerable populations of students, including international students and Muslim students.
- Reaffirm institutional principles and values, underscoring policies for free expression and inclusion, expressing support for students enrolled in the DACA program, and committing to support community members as much as possible while complying with the law.
- Meet with local, state and federal elected officials and policymakers to advocate for extensions of DACA and other legislation to support undocumented students.
- Develop "Know Your Rights" documents and other materials to provide helpful information to undocumented students.
- Open a line of communication on these issues with the Spokane Police Department and the Spokane County Sheriff's Department.
- Discuss these issues with Whitworth Security staff and train them in the implementation of policies.
- Train and inform faculty and staff who are likely "first points of contact" for immigration or law-enforcement officials.
- Discuss study-abroad requirements and the process to waive such requirements for students who are unable to travel.
- Provide certain legal assistance to undocumented students.
- Consider alternative employment opportunities for undocumented students who are currently on work-study, should changes be made to work authorization.
- Notify the student health and counseling center to prepare staff for the potential needs of undocumented students.
- Discuss how academic and vocational counseling should reflect various constraints to educational training paths that require certain employment-authorization documents.
In his memo, Beck warned students from Muslim-majority countries of the dangers of traveling following President Donald Trump's executive order.
"Last week's executive order banned nationals from the following Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S. for a period of at least 90 days: Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen," Beck said. "While the orders are in effect, we strongly recommend that students from other countries consider delaying any unnecessary travel abroad, including to Canada, as there is no guarantee that their reentry to the U.S. will be allowed."
"These are uncertain days. Many, including me, are confused about what the future will hold for students and community members whom we know and love dearly. Although these actions impact a relatively small group of Whitworth's community, they impact all of us by extension," Beck said at the close of his letter.
1819 News reached out to Samford University to ask whether Taylor's position on those issues has changed since the memo was released. The University has not yet responded.
*Editors Note: This story has been updated to correct Jacob Hoffman's name.
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