An incident near a school bus stop in Lindenwold, New Jersey, earlier this week involved U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The event, which sources report took place on either Tuesday or Thursday morning, led a number of fourth and fifth-grade students waiting for their school bus to run from the immediate area.
Incident Details
The incident unfolded at a bus stop near the Woodland Village Apartments. As students, including fourth and fifth graders, were waiting for their school bus, ICE agents were observed near the location, with some reports indicating agents exited their vehicles. The presence of multiple enforcement vehicles caused fear and confusion among the students, leading some to disperse.
A 10-year-old U.S. citizen identified as Dylan reported hearing classmates shout "ICE" before students began running.
Dylan stated that agents followed him as he ran home, a sequence captured by home security video showing him knocking on his door. Additionally, doorbell video from an apartment complex depicted children running through a parking lot.
School District Response
The Lindenwold School District reported that the bus driver allowed students who remained at the stop to board the bus. The driver then circled the complex to locate and pick up students who had run away. All students were subsequently accounted for, having either arrived at school by bus, been transported by a parent or guardian, or remained home for the day.
Lindenwold Schools Superintendent Dr. Kristin O'Neil confirmed the events and stated that support services, including counseling, were immediately made available to students upon arrival at school. The district indicated these services would continue as needed. The district also announced that morning arrival and afternoon dismissal procedures would be closely monitored by additional staff and administrators.
A bus monitor present on the bus stated that once the children were on board, they were observed huddled and crying. Students present at the scene expressed feeling scared and traumatized.
The district also clarified to families that ICE agents were not present at the school district itself.
Community and Official Reactions
Following the incident, community members in New Jersey protested on Friday. U.S. Representative Donald Norcross called for greater transparency from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding the operation. A local resident, identified as Maria and a U.S. citizen, stated that the incident follows increased ICE activity in the neighborhood and that some children are experiencing distress related to the event.
The Department of Homeland Security has not yet provided a response to inquiries regarding the enforcement activity or whether its timing near the bus stop was coincidental or targeted.