BU Groups Demand Sanctuary Campus After Student Claims He Reported Allston Workers to ICE

November 24, 2025 kenra

A large group of Boston University students gathered at Marsh Plaza on Friday afternoon, calling on President Melissa L. Gilliam to declare BU a sanctuary campus. Their demand centers on protecting students and workers from potential Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions, a concern that intensified after recent campus-related controversies.

Student Groups Lead March Toward BU President’s Home

Second Protest in One Week

The demonstration marked the second major rally near Boston University within a week. Students mobilized after BU College Republicans President Zac Segal publicly stated on X that he contacted ICE, resulting in the arrest of workers at Allston Car Wash earlier in the month. His comments triggered widespread anger and fear across campus.

Organizers and Unrecognized Groups

Friday’s rally was led by:

Back Bay Young Democratic Socialists of America (YDSA)
Quinobequin Student Front for Palestine
Alianza Latina

Both Back Bay YDSA and Quinobequin operate as unrecognized student organizations at BU. Speakers used masks and withheld their identities, emphasizing safety concerns while highlighting their broader demands for stronger immigrant protections and a clear sanctuary campus declaration.

March to President Gilliam’s Residence

Protestors Move Through the Streets

After the speeches at Marsh Plaza, roughly 140 students marched from campus down St. Mary’s Street to Gilliam’s Ivy Street residence. There, BU Police officers guarded the property, while nearly 90 protestors gathered outside for almost forty minutes, chanting and giving speeches.

Chants Directed at BU Leadership

The group repeatedly chanted:

“One, two, three, four. Gilliam, we’re at your door.
Five, six, seven, eight. Come out and negotiate.”

The chants underscored students’ demands for transparency and action on sanctuary campus policies.

Background: The ICE Arrests and Campus Reactions

Growing Pressure After Segal’s Statements

Since Segal’s first online comments on Nov. 7, students and activists have demanded disciplinary measures against him. Many believe his actions reflect a broader pattern of fear affecting immigrant students, but protestors clarified that their movement began long before the Allston Car Wash arrests.

Earlier Demands for a Sanctuary Campus

Back Bay YDSA originally outlined its sanctuary campus requests in a March Instagram post, urging BU to:

Direct all ICE requests through the Office of General Counsel
Ban ICE officers from entering private campus buildings without a judicial warrant
Prohibit the sharing of student information with federal immigration authorities

The same group was suspended in April following a sit-in outside the Dean of Students office. BU accused members of intimidating staff and posting unauthorized flyers.

University Response to Sanctuary Campus Calls

BU’s Official Position

BU has acknowledged receiving petitions but continues to avoid labeling itself a “sanctuary campus.”
According to spokesperson Colin Riley, the term has “no clear legal definition and may imply protections no university can guarantee.”

Resources Offered Instead

In April, BU created online resource pages for students worried about ICE and offered three hours of free legal consultations for international students. However, these steps did not satisfy many activists who want a formal sanctuary policy.