Two public schools students detained, deported by ICE

Siembra NC said two Durham Public School students and their parents were deported earlier this week. ICE leadership told WRAL that the family had no pending asylum claims or immigration applications. (WRAL via CNN Newsource)

DURHAM, North Carolina (WRAL) — Siembra NC said two Durham Public School students and their parents were deported earlier this week.

The group said that family had been in the U.S. since 2022, seeking asylum from Honduras.

Siembra NC said that family was attending a regularly scheduled asylum administrative appointment when they were detained, and then deported.

However, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) refutes that claim, telling WRAL the family failed to show up for their immigration hearing.

“They received full due process and had no pending asylum claims or immigration applications,” the agency said in a statement. ICE said the family illegally entered the U.S. in 2021 and were released into the U.S. under the Biden administration.

Durham Public Schools provided a statement about the incident:

“We are aware of reports involving a DPS family and federal law enforcement during spring break in Charlotte. We will continue to provide the essential support services our Burton Elementary students, families, and staff need during this unsettling time. We are certainly troubled by this event and will continue to keep the family in our thoughts. There is nothing more we can provide at this time.”

Eleven-year-old Genesis and 6-year-old Denis are students at Burton Magnet Elementary School. They lived in the U.S. for the past four years.

“Denis and Genesis’ family was doing exactly what the system asks of them,” said Andreina Malki with Siembra NC. “They were showing up and fulfilling their legal obligations as they seek refuge. What are you supposed to do if you’re a six year-old who has been here for four years, and you know no other school and no other community, and your family is doing everything the quote unquote right way, and this can still happen?”

Siembra NC leaders said they are taking action in light of this recent incident.

“Siembra NC is building out a network of community volunteers who can accompany individuals and families to their check-ins, to witness, to document, and stand with them,” Malki said.

During Thursday’s press conference, State Senator Sophia Chitlik argued sending people away who are seeking asylum is dangerous.

She and others said this family’s due process was violated.

“They have specific protections for their individual status, and people who come here seeking asylum have a legitimate claim on harm in their home countries,” Chitlik said.

WRAL reached out to Immigration and Customs Enforcement to verify Siembra NC’s claims.

We asked if they could confirm the existence of an asylum case for the family, and if so, why they were deported. We also asked if anyone in the family had a criminal record jeopardizing that case.

ICE has not yet responded to our questions.

By Monica Casey