Border Patrol removed from UMaine career fair after threats of boycotts from left-wing groups

In the wake of backlash from left-wing students on campus, the University of Maine’s Career Center has removed US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) from its annual career fair website as an attending employer. In late January, the UMaine Graduate Workers Union posted to social media that the annual All Majors Career Fair should be boycotted if CBP was not uninvited from the event. 

A flyer posted by the group stated, "Attention UMaine community: The US Border Patrol will be attending the UMaine career fair. The University administration have invited representatives from the US Border Patrol to be at the February 11th UMaine Career Fair. Our campus community is safer without CBP on campus. It’s UMaine’s responsibility to protect all students and employees from possible targeting."

It added in all caps, "we demand CBP be uninvited from this event! Boycott the career fair!" The flyer was posted in conjunction with the UMaine Orono Students for a Democratic Society, the Triota Epsilon Psi group, and UMaine Alumni4Peace.

Per the Maine Campus, rumors spread on campus social media that ICE would raide the school while CBP was on campus. University of Maine Student Government Senator Casper Cowan urged his fellow senators in a recent meeting to confront those spreading such "misinformation."

The outlet said that the listing was taken off of the Career Center’s website prior to CBP fully withdrawing from the event. Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) Vice President Gracie Gebel confirmed earlier in January that "border patrol has pulled out of the Career Fair."

Left-wing groups celebrated the move, posting a flyer that stated, "Victory for the black bears. Action at the career fair called off. Thanks yo the dedication, organization, and cooperation of students, staff, faculty, and community members, CBP is no longer attending the Feb 11 career fair. Dare to struggle dare to win."

Samantha Warren, Chief External & Governmental Affairs Officer for the University of Maine system, said of the fair, "Our upcoming career fair, scheduled for February 11, is the largest and most significant opportunity for Black Bears to engage directly with a wide range of employers across industries aligned with our academic programs. Consistent with our planning for this event in the past and for any large gathering we host on campus, university leaders are working closely with the UMaine Police Department to ensure a safe, inclusive and productive event focused on student success."

She added, "We are proud of our UMaine students and alumni, and we want employers to come to our campus to hire them. Ensuring access to a wide range of career opportunities is central to our students’ upward mobility, our mission, and the vitality of Maine’s economy and communities."