A Quiet Suspension: St. John's University's Controversial Partnership with Customs and Border Protection
St. John's University's recent decision to suspend its partnership with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has sparked a wave of reactions, leaving many with questions.
The partnership, aimed at training students for careers in homeland security, was met with strong opposition from faculty, students, and alumni. This led to a controversial move by the university, which has now paused the initiative, known as the Institute for Border Security and Intelligence Studies.
The announcement was made in an email sent by Law School Dean Jelani Jefferson Exum, stating that the decision was made after "constructive conversations" with CBP. Simon G. Moller, the spokesperson for St. John's, confirmed the suspension, citing a mutual agreement to suspend the partnership before its one-year renewal.
But here's where it gets controversial: the suspension comes at a time when the Catholic Church, of which St. John's is a part, is increasingly critical of the Trump administration's immigration policies, especially the mass deportation efforts and their impact on non-white communities.
Pope Leo XIV, the first U.S.-born pontiff, has openly criticized the administration's treatment of immigrants, adding fuel to the fire of this debate.
"We think it's the right thing," said Raj Chetty, a professor of English and a member of the "No CBP at SJU" collective, which opposed the partnership. He emphasized that the partnership went against the university's Catholic and Vincentian missions, which focus on justice and social justice.
The email from Jefferson Exum was the first official word of St. John's change of heart. She wrote, "The University has suspended its partnership with U.S. Customs and Border Protection... after concluding that the partnership is currently incompatible with the mission of St. John's."
And this is the part most people miss: the university's initial announcement last year stated that the planned institute would nurture "the next generation of homeland security professionals." However, this vision has now been put on hold.
The suspension has been applauded by those who opposed the partnership, but it also highlights the growing divide between the university's values and the controversial policies of the federal government.
As the nation grapples with immigration enforcement and its consequences, St. John's decision to suspend its partnership with CBP is a small but significant step. It raises questions about the role of educational institutions in supporting or opposing government policies, especially when those policies are controversial and divisive.
What do you think? Should universities take a stand against government policies they disagree with, or is it better to maintain a neutral stance? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
