AFT Leaders Condemn ICE Kidnappings at Baltimore School, Demand Action

BALTIMORE—

In a recent incident that has sparked significant concern, two individuals were reportedly taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers on the grounds of Commodore John Rodgers Elementary/Middle School in Southeast Baltimore. This event has prompted reactions from key figures in the American Federation of Teachers (AFT).

Kentucky Campbell, President of AFT-Maryland, and Randi Weingarten, AFT President, released a joint statement addressing the situation. They expressed strong disapproval, stating: "Yesterday, the Commodore John Rodgers community was supposed to be celebrating. Instead, children were terrorized after their parents were disappeared by armed government thugs. This is not law enforcement—it is repugnant, reckless intimidation to feed a sick political spectacle. We will not stand for this unconscionable assault on the values of safety, sanctuary and common decency that schools are meant to uphold."

According to the statement, this incident is not isolated but a consequence of policy changes under the Trump administration, which reportedly weakened protections for sensitive locations such as schools, hospitals, and religious institutions. The administration's decision to revoke a 2021 policy has been criticized for creating an environment of fear, impacting millions of children, parents, and patients.

The leaders highlighted the broader implications of the incident, especially in light of recent legislative actions. "It’s a stark reminder of the stakes just days after Congress passed an odious party-line bill funding ICE for three more years. We have filed an emergency motion to stop ICE from operating in and around schools—and we expect a decision soon. And we will continue to rise up on streets across the country to stand up for vulnerable communities who seek only to live their lives without fear," they added.

The AFT, which includes a membership of 1.8 million individuals, represents a wide range of professionals including pre-K through 12th-grade teachers, school-related personnel, higher education faculty, government employees, healthcare workers, and early childhood educators.