ICE Rejects Claims Arrests Happened At Southeast MI School Bus Stops

YPSILANTI, MI — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement rejected claims that officers arrested multiple parents at school bus stops in Ypsilanti earlier this week.

While ICE did confirm four people were arrested, they said the arrests did not happen at bus stops and there were no children present at the time, denying what local officials said.

Washtenaw County Sheriff Alyshia M. Dyer initially said the arrests happened near bus stops in Ypsilanti. She did note that details at the time were limited because ICE does not provide notice and does not contact local law enforcement.

On Thursday, Dyer confirmed the arrests were not related to any school activities. She also said ICE will work closely with local officials when they are in Washtenaw County.

ICE officials said officers were watching a home where two vehicles left with four suspected undocumented immigrants. They said officers stopped the vehicles and arrested four people, who were placed in jail pending immigration proceedings. They will receive full due process, ICE officials said.

"ICE does NOT target schools for enforcement actions or bus stop locations," the agency said. "To be clear, NO children were present during these arrests."

They added, "Lies like these are just another reason why our officers are grappling with a 1,300 percent increase in assaults, a 3,200 percent increase in vehicle attacks and a staggering 8,000 percent uptick in death threats," ICE officials said.

Superintendent of Ypsilanti District Schools Alena Zachery-Ross said the district does not voluntarily work with ICE, nor grant them access to school buildings or property without a warrant.

She went on to say district officials are working with the sheriff's office to monitor school sites. They are also working with the Washtenaw County Intermediate School District to support the students and their families who were involved in the situation.