To the Leadership of University of Dayton and the management of the Marriott at the University of Dayton,

I am writing to you as a community advocate and organizer deeply connected to immigrant families in Dayton. It is with profound concern that I discovered a job expo associated with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is scheduled to take place at a Marriott property owned by the University of Dayton. This situation is not only distressing to me personally but is also a grave contradiction to the values the University publicly upholds.

The University of Dayton has consistently presented itself as a Catholic Marianist institution, committed to inclusivity, support, and community. The decision to host an event connected to ICE, an agency known for its controversial immigration enforcement actions which often instill fear and uncertainty within immigrant communities, seems to be a stark departure from these stated values. This decision risks casting a shadow on the University’s reputation and its foundational principles of social justice and community solidarity.

For many immigrant families in Dayton, ICE represents a source of trauma and anxiety. The presence of an ICE job expo in our community, especially in a venue connected to an educational institution like UD, risks exacerbating these fears and creating further division within our community. This decision could be seen as a tacit endorsement of policies that contradict the University's mission of nurturing compassionate and socially responsible leaders.

We urge you to consider the broader impact this event may have on the community and to cancel the ICE job expo. By taking this action, the University and the Marriott can affirm their commitment to standing in solidarity with all members of our community, particularly the most vulnerable.

We urge the administration to reinforce its identity as a bastion of hope and inclusivity by dissociating from events that may contribute to the alienation and marginalization of immigrant families. Let this be a moment of reflection and realignment of our actions with our values.

We eagerly await your response and action on this matter. Please sign this petition to show your support for a compassionate campus and community environment.