BALTIMORE, MD – A Thursday morning immigration enforcement action outside a local elementary and middle school has ignited heavy criticism from Maryland state and school officials after federal agents detained two parents in front of arriving students.
Chaos During School Drop-Off
The incident unfolded around 8:00 a.m. at Commodore John Rodgers Elementary/Middle School as families were arriving for kindergarten and pre-K promotion ceremonies. According to witnesses and video footage, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents pursued a vehicle into the school parking lot.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene where agents struggled with a man on the ground and detained a woman inside an SUV with a shattered window. Nearby, school van drivers reported young children screaming in terror as they watched the arrests take place.
Educators quickly rushed to the vehicle to escort two children from the backseat into the building for protection. The children have since been placed in the custody of an aunt.
Federal Charges Filed
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) identified the detained man as Jesus Acevedo-Sanchez. According to DHS officials, Acevedo-Sanchez resisted arrest and used his vehicle to flee, dragging an ICE officer in the process.
He now faces federal charges for:
- Resisting and impeding federal officers
- Destruction of government property
The second individual in the vehicle is also facing charges for assaulting a federal officer.
Leaders Condemn School Grounds Arrest
Maryland Governor Wes Moore called the incident “disturbing,” emphasizing that schools must remain safe havens for children and parents. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott also expressed outrage, condemning the federal action in front of young students.
Principal Marc Martin released a letter to the school community stating he was “deeply disappointed” by the enforcement activity on campus and is demanding assurances that a similar incident will not happen again.
While ICE officials reportedly apologized to state leaders for the location of the arrest, DHS maintained that while they do not target schools, they will not allow suspects to utilize school grounds to evade law enforcement.
