The Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) finds itself in an unexpected and challenging situation. The university is legally obligated to host an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office in a building it acquired for academic expansion. This arrangement has sparked significant concern among students and administrators alike, as ICE continues its operations from the university-owned property.
Key Takeaways
- MSOE acquired a building for academic use with ICE as an existing tenant.
- ICE unilaterally extended its lease, preventing MSOE from renovating the building.
- The facility is used for ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations.
- Students express strong moral objections to the university's indirect support of ICE.
- Federal law limits MSOE's ability to evict the agency.
The Unexpected Lease Extension
MSOE purchased the building at 310 E. Knapp St. in 2023 from an alum who offered a significant discount. The university's intention was to transform the property into a modern classroom facility for architecture and civil engineering programs. At the time of purchase, ICE was a tenant, but its lease was expected to expire in April, with plans for the agency to relocate to a new office elsewhere in Milwaukee.
However, the General Services Administration (GSA), which manages federal government real estate, extended ICE's lease unilaterally. This extension now obligates MSOE to host the federal agency through April of next year. The lease also includes an option for ICE to remain in the building until 2028. University officials state they have no legal recourse to evict the federal tenant.
"We inherited those tenants, we didn’t invite them to be in that building, we inherited that building, their lease, and their timing of their new building being built out," said Seandra Mitchell, MSOE’s VP of Student Affairs and Campus Inclusion, in an audio recording of a student meeting.
Student Concerns and Moral Dilemmas
The presence of ICE operations on university-owned property has created a moral quandary for many MSOE students. They view the situation as the university indirectly supporting federal deportation efforts. During a recent meeting with administrators, students voiced their strong objections, questioning the university's role.
One student reportedly asked, "Can you see how it might look like MSOE is helping facilitate their mass deportation effort?" Another student commented, "It feels like the federal government’s goals and objectives of mass deportation right now outweigh the academic use of that building for MSOE." These sentiments highlight the deep ethical conflict students feel.
Fact Check
- MSOE acquired the building in 2023 with the understanding ICE would vacate within months.
- ICE's lease was unilaterally extended through April 2026, with an option until 2028.
- The building is officially listed as part of ICE's "Chicago Field Office" for Enforcement and Removal Operations.
The Broader Context of ICE Expansion
This situation at MSOE reflects a larger trend of ICE expansion across the country. Even as other parts of the federal government face budget constraints or shutdowns, ICE continues to grow its operations. This includes building new facilities and extending existing leases beyond original plans. The agency is actively seeking significant office space in over a dozen cities, not just Milwaukee.
Kip Kussman, MSOE's associate vice president of student affairs, acknowledged the complexity of the situation. He told students that the issue is "complex" and tied to a "confidential document" (the lease), meaning the university has "minimal control of a complex governmental system."
Operations at the Knapp Street Facility
The 310 E. Knapp Street office serves as part of ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO). This facility includes holding cells for individuals detained by ICE. While it is not intended for overnight stays, rules were changed in June to allow for detention periods of up to 72 hours, an increase from the previous 12-hour limit. An analysis by the Vera Institute of Justice revealed that on one day in June, 22 people were held at the Knapp Street office.
Legal Obligations and Federal Authority
MSOE released a statement explaining its position. The university stated that after acquiring the building, the GSA decided to continue its occupancy. "Under the terms of the inherited lease and federal authority allowing the government to require continued occupancy, MSOE is obligated to accommodate the tenant during this period," the statement clarified. Federal law grants the government the authority to extend occupancy beyond an original lease term, leaving MSOE with limited options.
Future Uncertainties and Ongoing Dialogues
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Wisconsin has also commented on the situation. A spokesperson noted the uncertainty regarding ICE's long-term plans for the Knapp Street office, especially as the agency is converting another building on Milwaukee’s Northwest side into a new field office. ICE is also reportedly seeking additional office space for "law enforcement operations" across the city, leaving questions about the ultimate purpose of such extensive new facilities.
MSOE continues to navigate this challenging situation, caught between its academic mission and its legal obligations to a federal tenant. The university's administration maintains that it is doing its best within a complex governmental system over which it has little control. The alum who sold the building, Kendall Bruenig, expressed his hope in 2023 that the property would become a place of learning, stating, "I owe my current success to my degree from MSOE, so I am honored to support the university and help other MSOE grads to start successful careers." The current use of the building stands in stark contrast to that vision.
