New Public Safety Contractor Has Ties to ICE

By: Mikayla Boyd, Editor-In-Chief

Alaska Public Media released an article on Oct. 23, 2025, informing that the same company that owns our public safety contractor, NMS, also owns a company that runs ICE detention centers across the country. At the end of the spring 2025 semester, Canisius announced that it had contracted with Alaska-based Nana Management Services (NMS) to replace the former public safety department. NMS is a company owned by NANA Regional Corporation (NANA), an Alaska Native company. NANA also has in its business portfolio the company of Akima. Akima “manage[s] or provide[s] security services to a half-dozen ICE detention facilities across the United States and Guantanamo Bay,” according to Alaska Public Media. They also reported that at an Akima-managed detention center in Batavia, N.Y., “federal inspectors repeatedly found that guards used ‘inappropriate’ force. In a lawsuit, those detained there have alleged that they were subjected to forced labor.” 

While Akima does not have direct contact with NMS, they are both subsidiaries of NANA, and both NMS and Akima’s growth and profits directly relate to the success of NANA’s more than 15,000 shareholders. When it comes to profits, “The company’s shareholders receive a regular dividend check; NANA has announced a fall dividend of $20 per share, following one of $8.05 in the spring. About 1.75 million outstanding NANA shares are distributed among its more than 15,000 shareholders,” according to Alaska Public Media. NANA does not disclose its typical holdings per shareholder, but that comes out to an average of around 117 shares per holder, meaning that payments could be around $3,300.

The Griffin reached out to Canisius with a few questions regarding the connection. Dr. Harold Fields, EdD, vice president for student affairs, provided corresponding answers. On the question of whether the university has an official statement or stance on the issue of ICE violence, as some other universities have, Fields responded, “Consistent with past practice, Canisius refrains from issuing statements on social or political events unless they directly affect the university’s core operations…As a Jesuit university, Canisius is committed to pursuing the Universal Apostolic Preferences of the Society of Jesus, which calls on all Jesuits and lay collaborators to walk with the excluded in a mission of reconciliation and justice.” 

On the issue of whether the university was aware of the ties NMS has through its parent company to ICE correctional facilities before deciding to contract with them, Fields responded that “The university’s review process focused on NMS as a provider of campus safety services and its ability to meet our operational needs. NMS’ work at Canisius is limited to campus safety services. In that role, NMS does not engage in immigration enforcement activities. It is our current understanding that ICE-related contracting is managed by a separate business entity within the NMS business portfolio.”

Fields stated that “Canisius has not designated itself as a sanctuary campus, in fact, few universities in the United States have. Nor does Campus Safety participate in federal immigration enforcement activities. Campus Safety is focused on maintaining the safety and security of our campus community.  Any law enforcement requests are managed through university leadership and legal counsel in accordance with applicable law.”

Fields concluded by stating, “We recognize this is an uncertain time for some in our Canisius community.  The university remains committed to supporting the well-being, safety, and academic success of all students, consistent with our Jesuit mission.” Students with questions or concerns are encouraged to contact the Office of Student Affairs.