Court Orders Release of Baltimore Mother Detained by ICE Near School

BALTIMORE — A Baltimore mother detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents outside a city school will be released from custody following a court ruling.

Judge Matthew J. Maddox ordered the release of Adriana Gavilan Sanchez, who has been held at the Caroline Detention Facility in Bowling Green, Virginia, since her arrest on June 12. The judge's decision came after Sanchez was granted a Writ of Habeas Corpus, requiring her release by 5 p.m. on Wednesday.

The circumstances of her detention are linked to the arrest of her husband, Jesus, who allegedly resisted arrest and attempted to evade law enforcement. According to ICE, the incident escalated near Commodore John Rodgers Elementary/Middle School, where Jesus was apprehended.

ICE officials stated that they coordinated with school authorities and the Governor's Office to ensure the situation was handled appropriately. However, Baltimore City Public Schools officials disputed this claim, stating they had no prior knowledge of the operation.

“Based on the video we have reviewed and firsthand accounts from staff and families, we have questions about ICE's characterization of events,” said Sherry Christian, spokesperson for City Schools.

Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis from ICE noted that this was not the first encounter Jesus had with ICE agents, referencing a previous incident in April. Meanwhile, Adriana, originally from Mexico, faces federal charges for allegedly assaulting a federal officer during the arrest.

Defense attorneys for the couple assert that the situation began when an individual approached them with a firearm after they left a Dunkin' Donuts. Fearing for their safety, Jesus attempted to escape but was subsequently involved in a collision and drove towards the school seeking help.

Upon reaching the school, they encountered police lights, which led Jesus to believe they were federal agents. After stopping the vehicle, ICE agents forcibly removed him, resulting in injuries.

According to the lawyers, an agent warned Adriana to comply to avoid further escalation. Following the incident, the couple's children were placed with a relative.

Jesus remains in ICE custody at the Farmville Detention Facility in Virginia.

Reported by HarborBeat based on WMAR 2 News Baltimore (source).