TAMPA, Fla. — Universities across Florida have taken the steps to partner with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The University of South Florida will soon follow, but for some students, it’s a move that worries them.

Diego Dulanto is a student at USF, and he’s nervous about the potential agreement with ICE. 

“Just pure anxiety, a lot of fear, not just for me but for all my fellow students,” he said.

Dulanto is a DACA recipient and is pursuing his master’s degree at USF.

He says USF has been a community of support and safety, and now as the university looks to sign an agreement to partner with ice to tackle immigration, he’s concerned that this will place a target on students who may be in the country on a visa or those who have DACA.

“This is just another step in leaning towards discrimination,” he said.

USF leadership issued a statement reading in part, “All state law enforcement agencies, including USFPD and the police department at other state universities, are expected to follow the governor’s directive from February to enter into agreements with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.”

Diego says he’s focused on trying to educate his community as best as he can, sharing information with the students he mentors.

“But also, just handing out materials like red cards for know your rights and just whatever I can to help spread information about local resources,” he said.

A USF spokesperson says while the agreement has not been signed yet, they regularly work with state and federal law enforcement agencies to help maintain the safety of the university community and security on their campuses.

Dulanto says he will head to Tallahassee to lobby for the rights of immigrants like himself and for students seeking a higher education.

He will also be partnering with other USF organizations to host a "Know Your Rights" training.

That’s taking place Thursday, April 17 at the Marshall Student Center on campus.