North Bergen officials condemn reported ICE activity near school
Officials say that the North Bergen School District is investigating the incident.
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An encounter between federal immigration agents and a North Bergen High School senior near campus Monday morning sparked protests and an investigation by the school district.
Video of the interaction, which circulated widely on social media, shows masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents questioning 18-year-old George Castillo near the corner of 86th Street and Kennedy Boulevard, a short distance from North Bergen High School.
“I was just waiting for my friend like any other day, and I just look up and I see the people coming out of cars,” said Castillo. “For me, I was a bit confused and nervous.”
Castillo said agents asked whether he was an American citizen.
“They were asking me if I was American,” he said. “I said, ‘Yeah.’”
In the video, a person recording the encounter tells agents that Castillo is a minor. The agents can then be heard threatening to arrest the person filming for interference.
The footage quickly spread online and prompted a student-led protest outside North Bergen High School later that day.
“I’m not even safe in my own school,” said student Rosheiry Batista. “I’m supposed to feel safe in my hometown.”
Parents who attended the protest said the incident has heightened fears within the community.
“I’m very scared because this situation is going out of hand,” said Martha Claudio, a North Bergen parent. “My kid is in the school, and I don't see anything being done to protect the kids, and I'm very concerned.”
The Department of Homeland Security disputed claims that agents targeted a school or questioned a minor.
“Allegations that ICE questioned minors or targeted schools are false,” the agency said in a statement to News 12.
Federal officials said agents were conducting a targeted enforcement operation and noted that Castillo is legally an adult. Castillo told News 12 he is 18 years old and a senior at North Bergen High School.
For some families, the encounter underscored ongoing concerns about immigration enforcement and the difficult conversations it can prompt at home.
“Where were you born? What's your status? Just those two simple questions can change your life,” said North Bergen parent Andrea Picon. “I have a conversation with my 10-year-old...It's a conversation that's tough to have because it's not easy. It's not easy to explain to a 10-year-old what's going on out in the world.”
The North Bergen School District said it is investigating the incident and reiterated that federal agents are not permitted to enter school buildings without a judicial warrant.
