The University of Minnesota international graduate student detained last week by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had his visa revoked over a drunk driving case, not due to participation in pro-Palestinian protests on campus, according to a senior Trump administration official.
“This is not related to student protests,” an official from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) told The Hill on Monday. “The individual in question was arrested after a visa revocation by the State Dept. related to a prior criminal history for a DUI.”
University officials confirmed that the international student, who was not named, was detained by ICE agents last Thursday. The school called the arrest a "deeply concerning situation."
The student, who was enrolled at the Carlson School of Management on the Twin Cities campus located in Minneapolis, was arrested off-campus.
“We are actively working to gather more details about this incident,” University of Minnesota President Rebecca Cunningham said in a Friday update that was also co-signed by Vice President for Student Affairs Calvin Phillips and Vice President for Equity and Diversity Mercedes Ramírez Fernández.
“The University had no prior knowledge of this incident and did not share any information with federal authorities before it occurred,” the trio wrote in the release.
The student, later identified as Dogukan Gunaydin, filed a lawsuit in federal court on Sunday, contesting the lawfulness of his arrest, The New York Times reported.
ICE arrested another student in Minnesota last week.
Edward Inch, president of Minnesota State University's Mankato campus, said a student was detained Friday at an off-campus residence. The institution was not in touch with the administration and ICE officials did not speak with the school, per Inch.
“This action hurts what we try to accomplish as a university — supporting all learners to receive the education they desire to make the impact they want in their communities,” he said Monday an emailed statement.
Inch said he has reached out to both federal and state-level officials to "share my concern and ask for their help in curbing this activity within our campus community of learners.
“I know this news may be upsetting for members of our community," he wrote. "If you or someone you know needs support, please use the campus resources available to you.”
The two arrests of students in the North Star State come as President Trump has accelerated his crackdown on international students and faculty who have shown support for
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