By Danielle Ngamegni

President Donald Trump fired Kristi Noem from her position as Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security on March 5, replacing her with Markwayne Mullin. According to the New York Times, Mullin was confirmed in a 54-45 Senate vote on March 23.

UMD College Republicans and the Young Democratic Socialists of America both agreed that it was the right decision to fire Noem as DHS secretary. Still, they offered different opinions on whether UMD should be declared a sanctuary campus and how they addressed the issue to students as political organizations. 

Blake Ruszala, a freshman finance major and treasurer for UMD College Republicans, expressed concern that if UMD is declared a sanctuary campus, the university risks losing federal funding and poses a security risk of prioritizing undocumented immigrants. 

UMD College Republicans have held an open discussion with students about how they feel about ICE’s presence around campus.

YDSA held rallies declaring that UMD must become a sanctuary campus and collected more than 3,000 signatures in a petition targeted to President Darryll J. Pines and the university’s administration to protect the international and undocumented community.

“The administration’s inaction is appalling, and we demand that they take real action to defend their immigrant and undocumented community by publicly declaring UMD a sanctuary campus, upholding the requirements for judicial warrants for entry into private spaces,” wrote in an email Nick Cosgrove, president of the Young Democratic Socialists of America and a sophomore American studies and communication double major.

According to a statement in UMPD News by Lt. Rosanne Hoaas, public information officer for the University of Maryland Police Department, “UMPD follows the Office of Attorney General of the State of Maryland (OAG) Guidance for Maryland Law Enforcement on the Requirements of Maryland Law When Working with Federal Law Enforcement Agencies. Additionally, the university has issued Guidance on Government Enforcement Officials (including ICE) actions, and limits to non-public spaces and information.”

UMPD does not implement federal immigration laws after Gov. Wes Moore signed a bill that would prohibit ICE and police agencies from relying on local police to carry out immigration orders under the 287g Program.

Since UMD is a public university, ICE agents are legally permitted to enter public spaces without the university’s approval. 

UMD advises students not to do or say anything that could interfere with agents’ actions if they attempt to enter campus non-public areas. The university emphasized that students should ask agents to wait until a university representative is contacted, and students should call UMPD and the Office of General Counsel to review legal documents handed by the agents. 

The university also said that students should not disclose any personal information without contacting the Office of General Counsel and state that you’re not permitted to accept a subpoena or warrant if served on behalf of the University, according to the Office of Government Relations at UMD.

Prince George’s County Council did not respond to a request for comment.

UMD College Democrats did not respond in time for comment.

Featured Image: Students on McKeldin Mall on March 10, 2026. Photo by Miller Rogers-Tetrick.