Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained an Iranian national Tuesday morning in a Beaverton preschool parking lot after he dropped off his child.
“We are deeply disturbed by what took place in our South Beaverton school parking lot yesterday. While we are still working to understand the full details of the situation, we can confirm that a law enforcement action occurred during school hours and involved the apprehension of a parent by federal agents,” the statement reads in part.
A regional spokesperson for ICE confirmed the arrest, claiming it occurred in the school’s parking lot after agents approached the parent at a traffic check but allowed him to put his child down before taking him into custody.
“Officers allowed him to proceed to the daycare parking lot where he stopped cooperating, resisted arrest and refused to exit his vehicle, resulting in ICE officers making entry by breaking one of the windows to complete the arrest. His child was unharmed,” ICE Regional Spokesperson David Yost wrote in an email.
Yost initially provided an incorrect statement, indicating that the youngster was in the car at the time of the arrest. He later clarified that statement. The fix has now been included in this article.
“Removable aliens are asked if they want to be removed with their children or place their children with a designated guardian. ICE officers are trained to de-escalate these situations and prioritize safety,” the statement goes on to say.
The email concluded, “ICE takes the safety of children seriously and will continue to work with ORR to ensure that children are safe and protected.”
According to Yost, the Iranian national entered the United States legally but reportedly overstayed his visa.
In January, the Trump administration reversed a Biden-era regulation that prevented ICE from making arrests in “sensitive” sites, including schools, churches, and hospitals.
“While ICE is not subject to previous restrictions on immigration operations at sensitive locations, to include schools, churches and courthouses, ICE does not indiscriminately take enforcement actions at these locations,” Yost’s email reads.
According to the Oregonian, this looks to be Oregon’s first ICE arrest on school premises.
Senator Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said the family had contacted his office.
“The family has contacted our office and we are pressing the Trump administration at every level to get answers,” a spokesperson for Wyden said in an email.
According to Ignacio, the school is striving to support the family and child.
“Our first priority is the safety and emotional well-being of the children in our care. We are actively supporting the affected child and family, and we are providing our staff and families with resources to help them process this event with care and sensitivity,” her email reads. “We are also reviewing the circumstances surrounding this incident and taking steps to ensure that our campuses remain a safe and secure environment for all members of our school community.”
