Boston Protesters Urge Northeastern to Bar ICE
About 30 demonstrators rallied on Centennial Common to demand an official campus policy on immigration enforcement agents.
Updated on Nov. 14, 2026 in Immigration
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About 30 protesters gathered on Centennial Common at 4 p.m. Nov. 5, organized by Northeastern's chapter of the Young Democratic Socialists of America. They called on the university to enact an official policy barring ICE agents from entering campus, a policy the university has not released.
Why it matters
The rally reflects a pressure campaign on the university to publish a formal on-campus ICE policy, with speakers citing growing fear of immigration enforcement activity in Boston and nationwide. The demands come as the university's own international affiliates have faced disruption to their status.
The rally drew about 30 protesters, while approximately 40 international Northeastern affiliates had visas revoked in 2025 before those visas were restored. Northeastern has not released a campus policy on ICE, and it remains unclear what enforcement approach the university will adopt.
The players
Northeastern University
A private research university in Boston whose campus police and student government are at the center of the ICE policy debate.
Ruben Galindo
The chief of the Northeastern University Police Department who told the Student Government Association that university police cannot stop ICE from entering campus.
The details
Protesters demanded that Northeastern divest from its Department of Homeland Security contracts and enact a policy barring ICE from campus. At an Oct. 6 Student Government Association meeting, NUPD Chief Ruben Galindo said university police cannot stop ICE from entering campus. Northeastern requires anyone seeking to demonstrate to submit an application and obtain written approval.
Timeline
2025: About 40 international affiliates had visas revoked, later restored.
Oct. 6: NUPD Chief Ruben Galindo discussed ICE entry limits at an SGA meeting.
Nov. 5, 4 p.m.: Protesters gathered on Centennial Common.
Political Context
Opponents of such campus restrictions argue that universities lack authority to block federal agents, a point Chief Galindo echoed when he said police cannot stop ICE from entering. Protesters counter that the university should refuse to assist, coordinate or partner with immigration enforcement.
Students and international affiliates at Northeastern face uncertainty about whether ICE agents may enter campus and how university police will respond. Anyone planning to hold a demonstration on campus must first submit an application and obtain written approval from the university.
The takeaway
Campus policies on immigration enforcement remain unsettled, and students who want clear rules should watch for whether Northeastern publishes the official ICE policy protesters are requesting.
Further reading
For related coverage, explore more Immigration reporting on how enforcement debates are playing out in Boston.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Huntington News.
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