USC law school allows ICE, CBP to attend virtual recruiting event

Lawyers from the Department of Homeland Security will participate in a virtual recruiting event hosted by USC’s law school.

The annual recruiting marathon, referred to as the virtual interview program, allows J.D. candidates to submit resumes to employers and participate in video interviews. It is common for government agencies to attend such events.

But as the Trump administration’s deportation efforts reach violent new heights — and federal agents kill U.S. citizens in the streets of Minneapolis — some students see participation by DHS recruiters in a new light. An open letter circulated by students on Tuesday called on the Gould School of Law to disinvite the attorneys from the event.

“Whether these agencies appear physically on campus or through a virtual platform is immaterial,” the letter says. “Granting them access to USC Gould recruitment infrastructure legitimizes an agency whose core function is the surveillance, detention, and deportation of our friends, family, neighbors, and community members.”

In a statement, law school Dean Franita Tolson defended the participation of DHS recruiters, writing that the program is a “virtual and voluntary event” featuring more than 100 employers.

“Our law students have a diverse range of career interests, spanning the public and private sectors,” Tolson wrote. “Through this career program, they have the option to pursue interviews best suited toward their individual professional goals.”

Postings on the law school’s career management platform show that interviews with ICE and Customs and Border Protection are scheduled for Feb. 10. ICE is recruiting interns and full-time hires to work in the office responsible for “litigating all removal cases including those against criminal aliens.”

CBP is searching for an unpaid intern to research a broad array of topics, including immigration. The intern “may have the opportunity to tour facilities where CBP officers inspect passengers and cargo.”

Other schools have faced similar recent controversies. Last year, CBP attorneys planned to attend recruiting fairs at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Pomona, sparking outrage from students and faculty.

Last week, students at George Washington University petitioned their law school to disinvite ICE from a career fair. The school opted not to bar ICE, citing free expression and accreditation rules, though the recruiters dropped out of the fair the morning of.

Tolson did not cite specific reasons for allowing DHS attorneys to access the recruiting event.

“Providing professional support is a top priority at our law school, and likewise providing student support and care — including from me — is a vital priority as well,” Tolson wrote. “Should any Gould student, at any time, have concerns about our law school community, they are always welcome to reach out to me about it.”

Tomo Chien can be reached at [email protected].