Federal immigration authorities have detained another public school student in New York City, heightening concerns among parents and lawmakers regarding the Trump administration’s intensified immigration enforcement policies.
Elected officials revealed on social media that a junior at Grover Cleveland High School in Ridgewood, Queens, was arrested earlier this week during an immigration court hearing.
New York State Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris labeled the incident as a “routine” court proceeding that turned into a nightmare for families.
He expressed distress over the emotional toll of being separated from loved ones, stating, “It is every parent’s nightmare to be separated from their children and have no idea where they are or what is happening to them. The fact that this is happening in our country’s name is sickening.”
Following the reports of the arrest, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) refuted claims about the detainment of a minor at the courthouse.
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin criticized the media for what she called a fabricated story, although she later provided information about a separate arrest that did not align with the timeline shared by lawmakers.
At present, specific details about the detained student—such as their age and legal representation—remain unknown.
Councilwoman Jennifer Gutiérrez, a Democrat representing the District that includes Ridgewood, took to social media to condemn the arrest.
She described the incident as “condoned family separation by the Trump Administration,” emphasizing the unjust nature of apprehending minors in courthouses where they are complying with legal procedures.
Expressing her urgency, Gutiérrez called for the immediate release of the student.
Assemblywoman Claire Valdez highlighted the family’s distress over the student’s detainment, noting that they had not heard from him for several days and don’t know where he is being held.
Valdez demanded the immediate release of the student back to his family, emphasizing the emotional impact of such separations.
This incident marks the second known case of an immigrant student enrolled in New York City public schools being targeted for deportation during President Trump’s current term.
Last month, ICE agents detained a 20-year-old student from Venezuela, identified as Dylan, after he attended a routine immigration hearing in Manhattan.
The detainment sparked widespread outrage among Democrats and led to protests across the city.
In a display of support for Dylan, Mayor Adams, who has generally been cautious about critiquing Trump’s immigration policies, filed a friend-of-the-court brief on his behalf.
Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos also expressed sadness over the recent detainment, reiterating that this young person should be at home with their family rather than facing detention.
While emphasizing that the incident did not occur in a school, she encouraged families to continue sending their children to classes despite the climate of fear.
Federal agents have recently been focusing on immigrants in lower Manhattan, particularly in courthouses and adjacent migrant service centers.
This ongoing operation is part of a larger national initiative under the Trump administration aimed at detaining migrants, including those without criminal records, as they attend various immigration-related appointments.
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