For Immediate Release

February 6, 2026

United University Professions (UUP), representing 42,000 faculty and professional staff at the State University of New York’s state-operated campuses; the Professional Staff Congress-CUNY (PSC/CUNY), representing 30,000 members at the City University of New York; and Rutgers AAUP-AFT and Rutgers Adjunct Faculty Union, representing 9,000 Rutgers University academic workers, today issued a call for an end to the militarization of American cities and the brutal treatment of immigrants and those peacefully demonstrating against actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and associated federal agencies.

What follows is a joint statement by UUP President Frederick E. Kowal, PSC/CUNY President James Davis, Rutgers AAUP-AFT President Rebecca Givan and RAFU President Heather Pierce:

“As unions representing those engaged in the education and training of future citizens of the world and as active participants in a democracy, we are committed to the central principles of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. In the United States, state power flows from the people and the purpose of government is to secure the ‘unalienable rights’ with which all persons are endowed. No political authority can legitimately claim for itself powers that go beyond those established in the Constitution.

“Federal troops have been unleashed against tens of thousands of U.S. residents, with particular brutality from ICE. The result has been the detainment and deportation of immigrants, the overwhelming majority of whom have committed no crime but have, in many cases, been arrested while pursuing federally established processes to attain legal status in this country. These attacks are attacks on us all.

“The use of masks to hide agents’ identities, the violent tactics employed against unarmed citizens, the seizing of clearly innocent children and the blanket immunity granted to agents by the federal executive have established an out-of-control, heavily armed domestic army answerable only to the president. Such actions are antithetical to the principles upon which our nation was founded and are actively eroding the gains that generations of Americans have struggled to realize throughout our history.

“Most disturbing has been the use of deadly force by federal law enforcement, chiefly by ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, including the recent murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. Victims include those killed while in custody at internment camps as well as those peacefully protesting or simply witnessing ICE agents conducting their ‘operations.’ The power of the state to kill is not one that can or should ever be used indiscriminately. Yet, that is what is happening in our country right now.

“In this hour of deep division in our nation, with a president operating without any checks on his actions, we call on our representatives in Congress to investigate the actions of ICE – including those policy actions implemented by U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and incidents that resulted in the deaths of those in custody or on the streets of Minneapolis, Los Angeles, Chicago and other American cities. Additionally, we call on our congressional representatives to immediately cease all funding for ICE operations and suspend ICE activities across the country. Finally, it is time for Congress to pass humane immigration reform legislation.

“But it will take more than Congressional action to prevent further assaults on our democracy and our communities by the Trump administration. UUP, PSC/CUNY and the Rutgers academic unions strongly support an escalating, comprehensive and coordinated series of national actions by unions, faith, organizations, businesses and communities to oppose the militarization of our country. It is time to redouble our efforts to organize sustained, widespread, nonviolent protests, targeted economic shutdowns and noncooperation—as has been done so courageously in Minnesota.

“Without broad, escalating resistance, the Trump regime will continue to accelerate state terror – including invoking the Insurrection Act – and stoke unbridled fervor to undermine the Constitution and our freedoms. Failing to act collectively in this moment would be an abdication of our responsibility and would certainly intensify the violence perpetrated by the federal government against the people of our nation. More people will surely die.

“Unions have always been at the forefront of the struggle against authoritarian regimes. It is time for organized labor to take the necessary steps toward escalating widespread resistance against this one. PSC/CUNY, UUP and Rutgers academic unions have an obligation to our members, our campus workplaces, the students we teach and the communities where we live and work to speak out, to organize and to take a stand.

“As those who do the work of higher education, we are committed to freedom of thought; the pursuit of truth, inquiry and creativity in all its forms; and the discovery of scientific knowledge. Our work serves the purposes of our democracy uniquely well. We stand in defense of this work, the aspirations of our students and the democracy we hold dear. We hope to be joined by all who are committed to the principles of democracy. Like never before, our efforts, our commitment and our courage are urgently needed.”