CHICAGO (AP) — The U.S. Secret Service said its agents went to a Chicago elementary school Friday to investigate a threat, hours after school officials falsely claimed that agents of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement had come to the building.
In a statement released Friday evening, Chicago Public Schools leaders said that after releasing their first comments about ICE agents, they learned that the agents were from the Secret Service. This false alarm increased the fears of immigrant communities in the country’s third largest city.
“Our initial communication was the result of a misunderstanding, reflecting the community’s fear and concerns amid the new administration’s efforts. focus on undocumented immigrants», Indicates the press release.
THE Trump administration touted deportation efforts this week and issued new rules making it easier to deport people as part of a wave of actions aimed at cracking down on illegal immigration.
The Chicago Public Schools statement said two people came to the door of Hamline Elementary School and presented identification that included the name of the Department of Homeland Security, the federal agency that oversees ICE. School officials responded to the agents knowing they were from ICE, amid rumors and reports that the agency had a presence in the community, school district officials said.
The agents were from the Secret Service’s Chicago field office and came to the school while investigating a threat made against a government official they are protecting, according to the statement sent by the Secret Service spokesperson Anthony Guglielmi. He said officers first went to a home in a local neighborhood and then went to the school.
“The officers identified themselves to the school principal and provided business cards with their contact information,” the statement said.
He said the officers left without incident.
“We do not investigate or enforce immigration laws,” the statement said.
ICE officials said in a statement that no immigration enforcement actions took place Friday in or near any Chicago school.
Chicago Public Schools officials said officers were not allowed to enter the school or speak with staff or students.
“While this is a misunderstanding in terms of the specific branch of DHS, the school’s response demonstrates that our system, in partnership with community organizations, is prepared and ready to keep our students safe and of our staff,” the statement said.
