Opinion: Taylor Family Must Cut Ties with ICE to Support First-Gen Students

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A WashU student argues that the Taylor family, who have donated millions to support low-income and first-generation students at the university, must cut ties with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) if they truly want to help these students. The student cites reports that the Taylor family's company, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, has contracts to provide vehicles to ICE, which the student says is complicit in human rights abuses against immigrants.

Why it matters

The Taylor family's support for first-generation and low-income students at WashU is undermined if they are also profiting from the federal government's anti-immigration agenda through their business dealings with ICE. This raises questions about the authenticity of the family's generosity and commitment to educational equity.

The details

The student worked as a mentor coordinator for the Taylor Family Center for Student Success, a $15 million donation from the Taylor family that expanded support programs for first-generation and low-income students at WashU. However, the student argues that the Taylor family's company, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, has been accused of renting vehicles to ICE in cities like St. Louis, Minneapolis, and Los Angeles, which activists say are used in immigration enforcement and human rights abuses. The student cites reports of an expansive contract between Enterprise and the federal government, as well as an incident where an immigration agent was caught switching the license plate of a vehicle rented through Enterprise's parent company.

• In 2014, WashU was labeled one of the least socioeconomically diverse schools in the country, with only 6% of students being Pell-eligible.
• In 2023, the Taylor family donated $15 million to found the Taylor Family Center for Student Success at WashU.
• In January 2026, protesters in Minnesota started the 'ICE out Enterprise' campaign, alleging that ICE rented over 1,000 Enterprise cars in January.
• In February 2026, Minnesota organizers held a Global Day of Action protesting Enterprise, claiming some vehicles were used for an immigration crackdown.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The author calls on the WashU community to demand that the Taylor family end their involvement with DHS and ICE and clarify their dealings with these agencies. Without transparency, the author says the community should refer to the Taylor Family Center as the Scholarship Student Success Center.