By Illianna Valenzuela
Flyers around PCC’s campuses about “shelter in place” and “lockdown” protocols that are being referenced when considering ICE raids. Photo by Illianna Valenzuela.
“We will be analyzing the aftermath of this for decades to come,” said Rowan Moore, Sociology teacher at Pima Community College.
The increasing activity of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) around Pima Community College Campuses has been weighing on staff, potentially harming education and work experiences.
PCC Chancellor, Dr. Jeffrey P. Nasse, recently gave a statement released on January 29, 2026 addressed to fellow colleagues. He said, “The college is closely monitoring developments and has plans and protocols in place for a range of potential scenarios.”
Also included in the letter is a range of information administrators can address for personal use and in classes.
Federal Agent Response requires federal agents such as ICE, FBI and DHS to follow strict legal procedures before entering non-public areas of the campus or accessing students’ private records (FERPA).
Although this information is on Pima’s webpage, many are not aware that there are indeed precautions in place of events such as ICE coming onto campus, making it an even more stressful experience for those in attendance at Pima.
PCC math instructor Sarah Andrews said, “Navigating being a student is difficult enough without adding in the additional stressors of our current political climate.”
PCC, like many other colleges, universities, etc., has a large population with several different backgrounds. As of the Fall 2025 semester, a headcount of 19,186 students was taken, and more than half of those numbered are families and friends to immigrants within our community and to international students who have traveled to be a part of the Pima community.
Of those 19,186, most, if not all, are working in addition to attending school, either to support themselves, their families, or even both. Academic and work pressure is already a given for most, now added to a mix of ICE pop-ups around Tucson, it can and has created a tense atmosphere on campus.
“While my subject area is in STEM and not generally political in nature, you would be surprised about how many students have come to chat in office hours and express their own levels of stress and ask about what they can/should do,” Andrews added.
AZPM, per University of Arizona, has put out a similar article noting how their students feel regarding safety on campus and how the school has responded thus far to the situation.
Moore said, “In my classrooms, the population of non-white students is around 90%. I want to ensure that my students feel safe to come to class, and have provided my students with multiple resources should they find themselves needing them.”
Although Pima has actually responded to the matter, what has been sent out sends a mixed message to those concerned. Overall, the statement appears to say that instructors should not interfere with ICE activity and again addresses FERPA, in that student information cannot be shared without correct documentation.
“I’m the grandchild of immigrants, and I’ve had my Indigenous relatives taken by ICE. My partner is the child of immigrants. I’m concerned for my friends and family. I’m less concerned about myself, but I do fear for the safety of my loved ones,” Moore added.