The Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations today condemned a reported U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement action at Commodore John Rodgers Elementary/Middle School in Baltimore during student drop-off this week, calling the incident a disturbing violation of the safety and dignity that every child and family should be able to expect at school.
SEE: ICE takedown in view of young children at school leaves 2 detained and backlash roiling in Baltimore
According to reports from school officials, federal immigration agents detained two people during the morning arrival period, significantly impacting members of the school community.
CAIR Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry said:
“Whatever facts federal authorities may assert about this case, immigration enforcement activity at or around a school during drop-off is reckless, traumatizing and unacceptable. Schools must be safe, welcoming spaces for children and families, not sites of fear, chaos or intimidation. No child should have to witness federal agents detaining parents or community members while they are arriving for the school day. These tactics do not make our communities safer. They terrorize families, undermine trust in public institutions and send a chilling message to immigrant communities across Maryland.
“We stand with the students, families, educators and staff of Commodore John Rodgers Elementary/Middle School. We urge ICE and all federal agencies to immediately halt immigration enforcement actions at or near schools, houses of worship, hospitals, courthouses and other sensitive community spaces. We also call on state and local leaders to demand full transparency, accountability and enforceable assurances that this will not happen again.”
CAIR Maryland welcomed statements from Maryland and Baltimore leaders affirming that schools must remain places of safety, and urged Baltimore City Public Schools, Baltimore City officials and state leaders to ensure affected students and families receive trauma-informed support, legal referrals where appropriate, and clear Know Your Rights information.
The civil rights organization said Maryland’s immigrant communities, including Muslim, Latino, Arab, African, South Asian and other families, must be able to take their children to school, seek medical care, worship, report emergencies and access public services without fear of sudden immigration enforcement actions.
CAIR Maryland urges anyone impacted by immigration enforcement to consult an attorney and avoid signing documents or answering questions about immigration status without legal counsel present.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, zchaudry@cair.com, 410-971-6062; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com