School Arrest Dispute
ICE Alleges Violent Resistance in Baltimore School Arrest While House Passes $70B Funding Bill
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Federal immigration agents arrested two people outside a Baltimore elementary school during a preschool graduation ceremony on June 11, 2026 — the first major enforcement action since President Trump signed a sweeping $70 billion immigration funding law just one day earlier. ICE alleges that Jesus Acevedo-Sanchez, 39, "violently resisted arrest" and used his vehicle to drag an agent, while his attorney and the school district tell a sharply different story. KCRA reported that bystanders captured the confrontation on video in the parking lot of Commodore John Rodgers Elementary/Middle School in Southeast Baltimore at around 7:50 AM.
The children who were with Acevedo-Sanchez and his wife at the time of the arrest have since been placed in the custody of their aunt, according to ICE. The incident has ignited a political firestorm over where and how federal agents can make arrests — and whether a new state law meant to protect Maryland school zones carries any real power.
ICE and Family Tell Two Very Different Stories
ICE says Acevedo-Sanchez was a known target. Agents first identified him in April 2026 after he allegedly caused a collision with an ICE vehicle and fled. On June 11, agents moved in to arrest him outside the school. The agency says he then used his car to evade agents and dragged an officer in the process. Acting DHS Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis defended the operation, saying, "ICE does not target schools, but we will not allow criminals to hide in our nation's schools."
His attorney, Rachael Savage, says the family's car was "hit in the rear and side by two ICE vehicles" while they were simply dropping their children off at school. Acevedo-Sanchez has lived in the U.S. for 25 years and has no prior criminal record, according to The Baltimore Banner. Baltimore City Public Schools spokesperson Sherry Christian said the district "did not coordinate with ICE" and praised staff for their swift response. She added the school has "questions about ICE's characterization of events."
Congress Passes $70 Billion Enforcement Funding Bill
The Baltimore arrest came one day after Trump signed the Secure America Act into law on June 10. The House passed it in a narrow 214-212 party-line vote on June 9, according to TIME. The bill allocates $70 billion for immigration enforcement through 2029. That breaks down to roughly $38 billion for ICE — more than three times its previous annual budget — and $26 billion for Customs and Border Protection.
Republicans pushed the bill through using budget reconciliation, a process that bypasses the Senate filibuster and does not require 60 votes. The move also stripped away restrictions that Democrats had placed on enforcement tactics. The administration's stated goal is to deport 1 million people per year. The new funding is designed to keep that pace through 2029 without depending on future budget negotiations, according to WBAL-TV.
Maryland's School Protection Law Has No Real Teeth
Maryland Governor signed an emergency law in May 2026 banning ICE from operating in "sensitive locations" like public schools. But the law has a major flaw: it has no enforcement mechanism. There is no penalty for federal agents who violate it, meaning the protection is largely symbolic, according to legal experts cited by WBAL Radio. The Baltimore arrest appears to be a direct test of that limit.
Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson called the operation "truly unconscionable," noting it happened during a graduation ceremony. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said, "This type of enforcement is not welcome in Baltimore" and argued it "has led to trauma" in the community. State Superintendent Carey Wright and Board President Joshua Michael said the arrest "betrayed pledges from ICE" and caused lasting harm to the children who witnessed it.
Acevedo-Sanchez Now Faces Deportation, Lawsuit Looms
As of June 13, Acevedo-Sanchez has been placed in formal deportation proceedings, according to legal filings reviewed by KMBC. A lawsuit — Acevedo Sanchez v. Liggins — is expected to test whether federal agents can be held accountable for violating state sensitive-location laws. Legal experts say the case could set a national precedent, though federal authority over immigration enforcement has historically overridden state-level restrictions.
The $70 billion Secure America Act represents a roughly 300% increase in ICE's budget compared to previous annual averages. Analysts say the Baltimore operation was likely a deliberate show of force — a signal that the administration intends to ignore local sanctuary policies and state laws alike. The incident follows a turbulent stretch for DHS that included the shooting deaths of two U.S. citizens, Alex Pretti and Renée Good, during a Minneapolis deportation operation in January 2026.
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