Baltimore school officials deny ICE's claims about coordinating arrests during graduation ceremony

Baltimore City School officials are denying claims from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) that the district coordinated with the agency in the arrests of two adults at a pre-school graduation. 

The arrests, which were captured on video Thursday at Commodore John Rodgers Elementary/Middle School, sparked outcry from leaders across Baltimore and Maryland. City leaders pointed out that an emergency bill prohibits ICE from operating in "sensitive locations like public schools." 

2 adults arrested by ICE

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said one of the individuals arrested, Jesus Acevedo-Sanchez, resisted arrest and ignored commands, using his vehicle to evade ICE agents. DHS said he took off toward the school before being arrested. 

According to court records, Acevedo-Sanchez is a Mexican native. He is being held at a detention facility in Baltimore. According to DHS, this was not his first time trying to evade law enforcement. 

DHS said the second person punched officers and is facing charges for assaulting a federal officer. 

In a separate statement, ICE's Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said, "To be clear: ICE does not target schools, but we will not allow criminals to hide in our nation's schools and put the safety of children at risk." 

"ICE leadership coordinated with school officials and the Governor's Office to ensure the situation was resolved safely and with minimal disruption to the community," the statement continued. 

School district officials respond 

In a statement shared Friday, city school officials said they reviewed video and firsthand accounts from families and staff, and have "questions about ICE's characterization of events." 

They emphasized that the district did not coordinate with ICE in Thursday's arrests. 

"ICE has acknowledged that schools should remain places focused on learning and that enforcement actions should not occur on school campuses," school officials said. "We welcome that commitment and expect future actions to reflect it consistently." 

School ICE arrests sparks outcry 

Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson described the incident in a social media post, saying the family was driving into the school's parking lot with ICE agents following. 

According to Ferguson, the adults were taken from the car as the children were screaming in the backseat. Eventually, educators brought the children inside. 

DHS later said the children were given to their aunt. 

A host of leaders and lawmakers from across the city and state have condemned ICE's actions, with Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott calling it a "disturbing incident."

"Our public schools and City facilities cannot be used for immigration enforcement, and immigration enforcement on campus or in the vicinity of our schools has direct consequences for the safety of our students and for their ability to learn," the city council said. 

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore called the video "deeply disturbing" and said his administration has reached out to ICE to determine why federal officers were on school grounds. 

"Let me be clear, Maryland will work with federal law enforcement when it makes our communities safer," Moore said. "But actions that terrorize children, separate families in front of a school, and undermine trust in public institutions do not make us safer."

"You never want to see children put in that position."

City leaders and Maryland representatives continue to speak out on Friday against ICE's actions.

"That's why I, again, oppose legislation that would have given ICE a blank check and continue to support common sense reforms that are overwhelmingly supported by the American people," said Congressman Johnny Olszewski. "That includes preventing law enforcement from conducting activities in sensitive locations like our schools."

Baltimore Councilwoman Odette Ramos noted the initiatives the city put in place to protect immigrant rights.

"The city government doesn't always have jurisdiction over the federal government," she said. "It's tricky. We have done everything we possibly can from our laws perspective."

Back at the beginning of March, Mayor Scott signed an executive order to protect the rights of immigrant communities. It included preventing ICE agents from entering city facilities without a warrant and restricting city police cooperation with federal agents. Weeks later, the City Council approved the Safe Spaces and Communities Act, which mirrors the executive order.

Ramos adds that other Maryland protections have been working to keep families safe.

"You'll notice in those videos, those guys were not wearing masks," she said. "That is a law that was passed by the General Assembly that law enforcement cannot wear masks."

Ramos hopes to see an investigation into this situation as many government officials examine potential action.

"I know a lot of our residents feel that they can't leave the house," Ramos said. "Every one of us is trying to figure out the best way to make our families safe. So, we'll keep exploring."