Governor Moore Decries ICE Operation at Baltimore School as 'Deeply Disturbing'

BALTIMORE — An immigration enforcement operation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents took place on Thursday morning at Commodore John Rodgers Elementary/Middle School, raising significant concerns among local officials and community members.

The operation began at approximately 8:02 a.m. on the school's campus, located in the 6800 block of Fait Avenue. Reports indicated that ICE agents detained two individuals, prompting a response from City School police.

According to a spokesperson from the Baltimore Police Department, officers arrived at the scene but found that the agents and the individuals had already left by the time they arrived.

A representative from Baltimore City Schools stated that while the incident had a considerable impact on the school community, students and staff were not directly involved, and normal school operations would continue. The school is currently collaborating with various agencies to gather more information about the event, although details remain limited due to the ongoing investigation.

Marc Martin, the principal of Commodore John Rodgers, expressed his disappointment regarding the enforcement action occurring during a time when families should feel welcomed and safe at school. He emphasized that families should not have to worry about arrests when interacting with educational institutions.

Senate President Bill Ferguson also condemned the incident via social media, asserting the importance of safety for families and vowing to challenge actions that threaten the well-being of children at schools.

This enforcement action comes just three months after Mayor Brandon Scott signed an executive order prohibiting the use of city property for unpermitted federal immigration enforcement operations. Following the event, Mayor Scott reiterated his commitment to ensuring that city properties remain safe havens for families.

Governor Wes Moore released a statement describing the operation as 'deeply disturbing,' stressing that schools should be environments where children feel secure and parents can drop off their kids without fear. He stated that his administration is in communication with ICE to understand how this operation occurred on school grounds during a critical time for student drop-off.

Moore emphasized that while Maryland will cooperate with federal law enforcement to enhance community safety, actions that instill fear in children and families are counterproductive and undermine public trust.

The Department of Homeland Security has acknowledged the incident, and further updates will be provided as the situation develops.

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