© 2025 WUKY
background_fid.jpg
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

UK monitoring reported detention of foreign students in other states, directing those concerned to website

Members of Columbia University's student workers union and their supporters protest the detention of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil and recent actions taken by the Trump administration against the university, Friday, March 14, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)
Jason DeCrow/AP
/
FR103966 AP
Members of Columbia University's student workers union and their supporters protest the detention of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil and recent actions taken by the Trump administration against the university, Friday, March 14, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Jason DeCrow)

With a University of Minnesota graduate student reportedly detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, schools — including the University of Kentucky — are watching closely and working to keep students informed.

The detainment in Minnesota and the Trump administration's targeting of pro-Palestinian students who are legally in The United States, citing national security, has some legal experts arguing the administration is running afoul of free speech protections.

UK Spokesman Jay Blanton said the issue is on the school's radar.

"We're trying to obviously be vigilant," he says.

For now, UK is directing students to its Update on State and Federal Issues website, which provides the latest information available to the university.

"We are trying to populate that site as quickly as possible with information as we know about it," Blanton tells WUKY. "Our sense is to continue to monitor those issues, try to make sure people have information so that they're aware, of what's happened at the federal level and so we can be in the best position to respond."

The school is also looking to take individual questions through email at govquestions@uky.edu.