Immigration activists upset by ICE school actions - KMSP-TV

Immigration activists upset by ICE school actions

DETROIT (AP) -- Immigration activists and community members want a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement official to step down after they reported that federal agents stopped parents this week at two schools in Detroit.

The group, including Detroit Democratic state Rep. Rashida Tlaib, said in a statement that a man was detained after dropping off his son Tuesday at Cesar Chavez Middle School and they want him released. They say another man was questioned in front of his children at Manuel Reyes Vistas Nuevas Head Start Center.

"As a community member I am outraged, and as a mother, I am heartbroken. ICE has once again violated their policies, and stopped parents dropping their kids off for school," Tlaib said.

The group wants Detroit ICE Enforcement Director Rebecca Adducci to quit. About 125 people turned out Wednesday to protest at Cesar Chavez Academy, The Detroit News reported. The area of southwest Detroit where the schools are located is home to a large Mexican-American population, including recent immigrants.

ICE spokesman Khaalid Walls said in a statement that the agency didn't do anything wrong.

"After a thorough review of facts, the arrest of a priority target ... adhered to, and was in full compliance of, the stated policies and procedures of the agency," Walls said. "This includes U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement policy regarding enforcement actions at or near sensitive locations."

Immigration officials have not confirmed the identity of the man they detained. The agency said he was once removed from the country and has a 2008 driving under the influence of alcohol conviction, MLive.com reported. The man who was questioned spoke at Wednesday's protest without giving his last name.