A Suffolk County Community College Eastern campus student was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on May 21, President Edward T. Bonahue announced today in an email to faculty and staff obtained by Compass News.
Bonahue said the female student, who was not identified, was detained at her home and that the college was not informed in advance nor was involved in the federal action.
“I’m sharing this information with you because I know many of us are deeply concerned for her well-being, and for that of all our students,” Bonahue said in the statement. “We are committed to doing everything within our power to support and advocate for her, in collaboration with external partners and community stakeholders. Members of the college community connected to the student are actively using their personal networks to offer support and assistance during this difficult time.”
Bonahue said that while “the college has occasionally received reports of ICE activity in the county, we had not received any confirmation of a Suffolk student being detained. Sadly, now that we have,” and he referred people to resources available first sent on Jan. 28.
The college is urging students in need of emotional or mental health support to reach out to on-campus resources. Suffolk’s Mental Health and Wellness Services are available during business hours, and the College CARE team is also ready to assist students through referrals.
Faculty and staff are also being reminded of services available through the college’s employee assistance programs, including counseling support from OPTUM Mental Health Services and the New York State Office of Mental Health.
“We will continue to make relevant programming, support, and resources available for undocumented students provided through the Center for Social Justice & Human Understanding, the Undocumented Students Task Force, and SUNY, and I take this opportunity to express my appreciation to everyone supporting our students through these efforts,” Bonahue said.
