September 11, 2007

ICE establishes program with 3 historically black colleges and universities
Program to provide internship opportunities for students in law enforcement

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, in a special ceremony, Homeland Security Assistant Secretary for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Julie L. Myers was joined by Dr. Karl S. Wright, Florida Memorial University, Miami Gardens, Fla., Dr. Earl S. Richardson, Morgan State University; Baltimore, Md. and Dr. Ronald Mason Jr., Jackson State University, Jackson, Miss. to sign memorandums of understanding (MOU) with the three Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Presidents.  These agreements create the framework for criminal justice internship opportunities within ICE for students from each of the institutions.

“These notable partnerships between ICE and our nation’s historically black colleges and universities are a win-win for everyone”, said Assistant Secretary Myers. “We are helping to prepare the next generation of criminal justice professionals by mentoring these young men and women and giving them an opportunity to apply the knowledge they gained in the classroom to our law enforcement activities around the world.”

“In these times of great challenge for our nation it is important for all American to pull together to ensure a safe and secure future for our nation, said Dr. Ronald Mason. “HBCU’s represent a vast and often untapped resource of human capital for this country and anytime we have an opportunity to partner in a relationship that allows us to tap into that resource, it is not only good for HBCU’s but good for America.”

“HBCU’s are so important to this country,” said Dr. Karl S. Wright. “There are 105 of us and we make up 3% of the nation’s colleges and universities, yet we graduate 24% of all the black graduates.  We have the students and ICE has the internships.  When our students have the opportunity to work with agencies like ICE, they become a part of the law enforcement family.  And we all know that internships like these can often lead to future employment opportunities.”

“We see this as a wonderful opportunity not only for Morgan State, Jackson State and Florida Memorial but for all of the HBCU’s,” said Dr. Ceil Paton, Executive Assistant to the President Morgan State University,”   “Morgan is right across the creek so we have an advantage to the other two institutions. We are excited about the partnership and we look forward to working with ICE.”

As part of the agreement, the universities will identify qualified criminal justice students to participate in the ICE internship program.  The individual programs will provide students with first hand experience in the law enforcement operations conducted by ICE, and introduce them to the challenges and benefits of a federal law enforcement career.

In addition to today’s signing, on August 8, 2007, ICE signed an MOU with Huston-Tillotson University in Austin, Texas, another HBCU.  In total, ICE intends to sign agreements with all 57 HBCU’s who offer criminal justice programs.

-- ICE --

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was established in March 2003 as the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security. ICE is comprised of five integrated divisions that form a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities.

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