Statement from Rep. Adriano Espaillat on Reports of ICE at Columbia University 

NEW YORK-- Rep. Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) issued the following statement on reports of ICE agents on the campus of Columbia University: 

"My office has been made aware of the incident on Columbia University’s campus this morning, when federal agents used misleading pretenses to gain access to the interior of a dormitory and detain a student.  We are in contact with Columbia leadership and are working to get more information.  Students and faculty should not fear for their safety in their dorm rooms, the classroom, or anywhere else on campus.  

"This exhibit of the Trump Administration’s lawless actions — which are rarely supported by legitimate warrants or subpoenas — is yet another reminder that Columbia University and other institutions must enhance the protections and policies they utilize to create a safe environment for those they serve and employ." 

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Representative Espaillat is the first Dominican American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and his congressional district includes Harlem, East Harlem, West Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, Inwood, Marble Hill and the north-west Bronx. First elected to Congress in 2016, Representative Espaillat is serving his fifth term in Congress. Representative Espaillat currently serves as a member of the influential U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for funding the federal government’s vital activities and serves as Ranking Member of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee of the committee during the 119th Congress. He is Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), and serves as a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. To find out more about Rep. Espaillat, visit online at https://espaillat.house.gov/.

Media inquiries: Candace Person at Candace.Person@mail.house.gov