We the Student Union ask that the University of Denver fully denounce the criminal organization of ICE. Seeing that the DU administration has given little energy to acknowledge or make solutions to this deeply disturbing state of the nation, the Student Union will use all of its force throughout the remainder of the academic year to hold our admin accountable while also filling the void of protective and proactive measures for our community.

On Jan. 7, 2026, an ICE officer shot a United States citizen for observing an ICE raid. The officer shot his weapon three times. Renee Good, despite pulling away from the scene, was shot in the face and her car drifted into a pole. This administration has given untrained thugs the confidence to shoot United States citizens for using their first amendment rights. We call on the university to state what this was: a clear act of domestic terrorism permitted by our current federal administration. Despite the gruesome and reckless nature of this officer’s actions, Kristi Noem, the Secretary of Homeland Security has come out with a statement justifying his actions. The United States has even come out with statements claiming that Good was a domestic terrorist.

Most recently, another U.S. citizen was shot by ICE at a rally being held in Minneapolis on Jan. 24. The man’s name was Alex Petti. ICE shot him for legally carrying a firearm, which is protected under the Second Amendment. He did not remove the firearm or threaten the ICE officers, however, he was brutally executed.

These are two instances of ICE officers murdering U.S. citizens, but we acknowledge that this simply scratches the surface of the cruelty that detained individuals have received.

We the Student Union ask that the university act in brave resistance against this corrupt administration. The university, as an institution of higher learning, should stand in fervent opposition to the Trump administration’s most recent domestic and war crimes.  

The Student Union demands that the university take action to protect their community. We invite administrative leadership, as well as the board of directors, to make connections with student leaders and observe what we have already done. The Student Union will take the necessary actions to achieve justice and safety for our community with or without administrative help.

We ask that the student body, faculty and staff stand with this acknowledgement in any way you can. Write about it, talk about it, ask what can be done, inform everyone and urge our campus administration to do the right thing.  

We have created a petition form that you can sign in demonstration of your support for this call. If you want to learn more about how you can get involved with the Student Union’s effort in this campaign contact us on Instagram. 

It is time that we all stand in solidarity. It is time to show our nation that our institutions of higher learning are a powerful guard against petty tyrants.  

The Student Union