An Oregon father was taken into US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) custody whereas dropping off his little one on 15 July at a preschool within the Portland-area city of Beaverton, the company confirmed.
The person, recognized by Ice as 38-year-old Iranian citizen Mahdi Khanbabazadeh, was arrested exterior Guidepost Montessori college after being stopped by brokers en route. An Ice spokesperson mentioned in a press release that Khanbabazadeh entered the nation legally however overstayed his visa.
The spokesperson mentioned that after the site visitors cease, officers allowed Khanbabazadeh to drive to the varsity to drop off his little one, however there, he “stopped cooperating, resisted arrest and refused to exit his automobile”. Officers broke a window through the arrest, and the kid was not harmed, in response to the spokesperson.
Caroline Medeiros, an immigration lawyer whose little one attends the identical preschool as Khanbabazadeh’s, advised native information that he was married to a US citizen, labored as a chiropractor and had already utilized and interviewed for a inexperienced card.
The Guardian contacted Medeiros and has not but acquired a response.
In a press release to the Guardian, Angel Ignacio, regional supervisor at Guidepost World Training, mentioned the group was “deeply disturbed by what occurred in our South Beaverton college car parking zone 7/15/2025.
“Whereas we’re nonetheless working to grasp the complete particulars of the scenario, we will affirm {that a} legislation enforcement motion occurred throughout college hours and concerned the apprehension of a dad or mum by federal brokers. Our first precedence is the security and emotional wellbeing of the youngsters in our care. We’re actively supporting the affected little one and household, and we’re offering our employees and households with sources to assist them course of this occasion with care and sensitivity,” Ignacio mentioned.
“We’re additionally reviewing the circumstances surrounding this incident and taking steps to make sure that our campuses stay a secure and safe atmosphere for all members of our faculty neighborhood. As a result of this includes a federal legislation enforcement matter and personal people, we’re restricted in what we will share additional. We ask for compassion and respect for the household’s privateness throughout this tough time.”
This was the primary confirmed federal immigration arrest at an Oregon college, in response to native information.
Ice brokers have been traditionally blocked from making arrests at colleges, locations of worship, hospitals and different delicate places, however the Trump administration overturned the coverage this 12 months in its widespread crackdown on illegal immigration.
The administration has mentioned it’s centered on eradicating violent criminals who’re within the nation unlawfully. Nonetheless, analysis by the Cato Institute discovered that 93% of individuals arrested by Ice since October 2024 had no violent convictions, and 65% had no prison convictions in any respect. Khanbabazadeh seems to haven’t any prison document.
Randy Kornfield, who was dropping off his four-year-old grandson on the Montessori college throughout Khanbabazadeh’s arrest, advised native information he noticed officers in police vests and unmarked vehicles “laying in wait” for the daddy and appearing in a “chilly and uncaring” method.
Khanbabazadeh stays in Ice custody pending removing proceedings, in response to the company.
