Immigration agents detained two people, including an illegal immigrant, on school grounds in Baltimore, sparking backlash from school and state officials. The incident occurred outside Commodore John Rodgers Elementary/Middle school as preparations were underway for kindergarten and pre-k promotion ceremonies.

Details of the Incident

According to authorities and witnesses, immigration agents had been pursuing Jesus Acevedo-Sanchez, an illegal immigrant who was accompanied by his family, and drove into the parking lot of the school. Agents pulled the parents from the car and detained them. Small children, some holding hands, hurried past the scene in their colorful backpacks during drop-off time as agents in vests with the words “ICE” and “police” on them detained a woman who was in an SUV with a shattered window.

Agents also struggled with a man on the ground and restrained him, according to another video taken by a driver who described children screaming as they watched. Educators rushed to the SUV of the two people being detained and took two children who were in the backseat into the school to try and protect them.

Reaction from Officials

Maryland state Sen. Bill Ferguson said in a video on Facebook that the incident was “truly unconscionable.” Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said he reached out to offer assistance to the affected family, the school, and “federal authorities to express our anger at this arrest occurring on school grounds.”

ICE spokesperson Lauren Bis said that the man, Jesus Acevedo-Sanchez, “refused lawful commands, violently resisted arrest, and used his vehicle to evade law enforcement, dragging an ICE officer in the process.” He’s facing federal charges for resisting and impeding federal officers and destruction of government property.

The children are now in the custody of their aunt, according to the Department of Homeland Security, after their parents were provided an opportunity to contact a relative.

Original reporting: KTVZ (Central Oregon) — read the source article.