October 16, 2012 at 6:17 pm
By Oralandar Brand-Williams
The Detroit News

Detroit — Local activists for immigration reform allege federal agents are again following local Latino parents when they drop their children off at school, in violation of government policy.

Activists with the Alliance for Immigrants Rights and Reform say Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agents targeted parents Tuesday outside of Cesar Chavez Middle School and near Manuel Reyes Vistas Nuevas Head Start Center.

Activists say at both schools, parents were stopped or detained in clear view of other parents and students.

Federal immigration policy says ICE agents should avoid conducting enforcement actions "near sensitive community locations such as schools, places of worship and funerals or other religious ceremonies, except in limited circumstances."

"The practice spreads fear throughout the school and the community in general, regardless of immigration status," said Ryan Bates, director of the Alliance for Immigration Rights and Reform. "The first violations of these kinds occurred in March of last year when ICE agents staked out Hope Academy."

Bates said a father, whom immigration officials allege is undocumented, was detained Tuesday.

He said the parents were "pretty shaken up."

"The prospect of being separated from your children in full view of all your neighbors is pretty terrifying," he added.

The activists plan to voice their concerns Wednesday during a news conference, where they are expected to be joined by Detroit-area members of the Michigan House of Representatives.

Officials for ICE were expected Tuesday to release a statement responding to the allegations.

Agency Director John Morton met in April 2011 with local immigration reform activists and community leaders about complaints that agents were "racially profiling" residents.

ICE agents targeted Latino parents outside 2 Detroit schools, activists say | The Detroit News | detroitnews.com