🚨 ICE DETENTION NEAR BLOOMFIELD ELEMENTARY PROMPTS TEMPORARY SHELTER-IN-PLACE 🏫

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — Federal immigration officials detained an adult near Berkeley Elementary School Wednesday morning, prompting school officials to temporarily place the building under a shelter-in-place precaution.

According to Bloomfield Schools Superintendent Joseph Fleres, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials detained an adult who was walking on the public sidewalk outside the school. The school initiated the temporary shelter-in-place based on information received by the main office.

🏫 School officials emphasized that no students or staff members were in danger at any point. Superintendent Fleres said the district's security procedures remain in place and unauthorized access to school buildings is not permitted.

Fleres also reminded families that New Jersey law and state Department of Education guidance protect students' right to receive an education regardless of immigration status and limit the involvement of local schools in federal civil immigration enforcement.

The Bloomfield Immigrant Justice Network reported that a community member witnessed the incident at approximately 9 a.m. The organization also reported a separate ICE sighting earlier Wednesday morning near the Bloomfield-Newark border.

📍 The latest incident comes amid other reported federal immigration enforcement activity in the Bloomfield and Montclair area in recent weeks. Previous reports have involved detentions in the area, according to local news reports.

The Bloomfield Immigrant Justice Network has also documented community responses to recent immigration enforcement activity, including demonstrations and vigils.

⚠️ GSNN NOTE: Details regarding individual immigration cases can be limited while federal proceedings are ongoing. Information about the detention itself is based on statements from school officials and community reports.

📸 Photo Credit: Bloomfield Immigrant Justice Network