Adán Núñez Gonzalez, a Northfield resident, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on Nov. 11, leaving students wondering what they should know and do in the case that outside law enforcement should come to campus.
Videos circulating social media show four unidentified ICE agents handcuffing Núñez Gonzalez and putting him in an unmarked vehicle. According to witnesses, Núñez Gonzalez was on his way to work with two others when his detainment occurred. A Minnesota Public Radio article reports that Northfield police were present at the scene of Núñez Gonzalez’s arrest, but they were not allowed to get involved per the department’s hands-off policy on immigration enforcement actions.
In a Human Rights Commission meeting on June 25, City of Northfield Police Chief Jeff Schroepfer stated that the department “does not get involved in immigration enforcement as it does not have the authority to do so” in order to help build trust between law enforcement and the immigrant community in town.
“I think it’s really, really important to understand the difference between Northfield Police Department and federal immigration enforcement,” Vice President of Community and Belonging Eduardo Pazos Palma said in an interview with The Olaf Messenger. “Northfield Police Department does not ask anyone for their immigration status.”
When it comes to campus life, local law enforcement “are most definitely [the College’s] partners” according to Pazos. The College frequently collaborates with the Northfield Police whether that be auditing or conducting safety drills. Therefore, students should not be alarmed if they see police on campus.
In an email to the campus community on Nov. 11, Director of Public Safety Jeff Favreau wrote that students should contact Public Safety immediately if they are approached by unidentified law enforcement officers so that “they can verify that there is a legitimate, lawful request to respond to as required under the law.”
Favreau said law enforcement may enter “any place that the general public has normal, everyday access to,” such as the Quad and Buntrock Commons. They cannot enter buildings that require key-card access — including Rolvaag Library after 8 p.m. and all residence halls.
“Know your rights,” Favreau said. “Know what you can and can’t do when you have to, or you don’t have to comply.”
As of the article’s publication, no ICE detainments have occurred on university and college campuses nationwide.
Resources on immigrant rights and responsibilities can be found at places such as American Civil Liberties Union Minnesota and Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota. The Community Action Center has also started a Northfield Supporting Neighbors Fund to support families in need of legal assistance. Donations can be made at www.northfieldsupportingneighbors.org.
