BREAKING: A Michigan father, Rodrigo Osorio, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) just moments after dropping his son off at Lakewood Elementary School in Ann Arbor on September 4, 2023. This incident has sparked outrage and raised urgent concerns about ICE’s practices near schools.
Osorio, 31, was apprehended while he was only a block away from the school. Witnesses report he pulled over to let a few vehicles pass, only to find himself in federal custody. He was held for approximately eight hours at an ICE facility in Detroit before being released later that same day.
The emotional toll on Osorio’s family is profound. “My kid is pretty traumatized out of this,” Osorio stated. “He’s been asking me, ‘Are they gonna come pick you up again?'” Such fears highlight the disturbing impact of ICE’s increasing presence near sensitive locations like schools.
Critics argue that policy changes under the Trump Administration have led to a surge in enforcement actions at places previously deemed “sensitive,” including schools and hospitals. These changes eliminated the requirement for ICE agents to obtain prior approval before making arrests in such locations.
Osorio, a DACA recipient since 2012, has lived in the U.S. since he was seven years old. He expressed frustration over the lack of clarity regarding his detention, stating, “I was never provided a reason for my detainment.”
In response to growing public concern, ICE released a statement indicating that Osorio was found “not amenable to removal from the United States” after further review. A spokesperson emphasized that no students witnessed the arrest and insisted that the agency does not conduct raids at schools.
Furthermore, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a memo labeling reports of school-based arrests as “fake news.” It asserted that ICE agents have the discretion to operate in sensitive areas but must seek supervisory approval before any actions are taken.
Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin defended the agency, stating, “ICE is not conducting enforcement operations at, or ‘raiding,’ schools.” She claimed that the media’s portrayal of these events is creating unnecessary fear and putting ICE agents at risk.
The controversy surrounding Osorio’s detention underscores a broader societal issue regarding immigration enforcement policies and their impact on families. As the situation develops, community leaders and educators are calling for a reassessment of ICE’s operational protocols to ensure the safety and well-being of children in schools.
This alarming incident raises critical questions about the balance between immigration enforcement and the sanctity of educational environments. As community members react, the conversation around ICE’s role in sensitive locations continues to evolve, demanding immediate attention and action.
Stay tuned for updates as this story unfolds.
