On July 15, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents arrested Mahdi Khanbabazadeh, a 38-year-old Iranian national and chiropractor. He had just dropped off his daughter at Guidepost Montessori school in Beaverton, Oregon and that’s where the agents arrested him. This incident is a big first. It’s the first confirmed federal immigration arrest at a school in Oregon since the Trump administration ended a policy against such actions.
Witnesses said that agents in unmarked vehicles, with Police on the front of their vests, pulled Khanbabazadeh over. That’s exactly what occurred when he was near the preschool. The arrest occurred during school hours, prompting concerns among parents and staff regarding safety and the emotional wellbeing of students. Khanbabazadeh, who is married to a U.S. citizen, had already been through the green card application and interview process. This has led to widespread concern about the conditions of his detention.
Staff at Guidepost Montessori indicated their desire to cooperate in working with the affected child and family.
“While we are still working to understand the full details of the situation, we can confirm that a law enforcement action occurred during school hours and involved the apprehension of a parent by federal agents. Our first priority is the safety and emotional wellbeing of the children in our care,” said Ignacio, a spokesperson for the school.
The incident has shone a spotlight on ICE’s current policies on conducting arrests in sensitive locations, such as schools. Before this policy change, ICE agents were largely prevented from conducting arrests on school grounds. This decision has created an outpouring of criticism and concern among many community activists.
Capturing impressions that mirror ICE’s across-the-board tactics, witness accounts characterize agents as “cold and uncaring” vectors of public safety during Khanbabazadeh’s arrest. Now the Beaverton community is at a crossroads. Most residents believe that the federal activities taking place right under residents’ children’s noses cause anxiety as well.
Khanbabazadeh is currently in ICE custody awaiting removal proceedings. At that point, as an otherwise law abiding citizen with no known criminal record, his case is a starker indictment of immigration enforcement practice and priorities. Community members have voiced their concerns regarding the potential impact of such arrests on families and children attending local schools.
“We are also reviewing the circumstances surrounding this incident and taking steps to ensure that our campuses remain a safe and secure environment for all members of our school community.”
Khanbabazadeh remains in ICE custody pending removal proceedings. As an individual with no known criminal record, his case raises further questions about immigration enforcement practices. Community members have voiced their concerns regarding the potential impact of such arrests on families and children attending local schools.