DHS denies ICE targeted parents at school bus stops, calls claim false

White House border czar Tom Homan fired back on Sunday’s “State of the Union” after Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., accused U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) of targeting parents at school bus stops in Danbury, Connecticut.

“Trump says ICE is targeting criminals. They aren’t. It’s a lie,” Murphy posted to X on Friday. “In Danbury, they are just targeting parents sitting at school bus stops just to terrorize little kids.”

On CNN’s “State of the Union”, Homan rejected Murphy’s characterization of ICE operations.

“ICE isn’t in the business of terrorizing children,” Homan told host Dana Bash. “That’s just political fire. ICE is out there enforcing the law that was enacted by Congress. Did we arrest illegal aliens [that are] parents? I’m sure many are. But we’re not out there to terrorize children.”

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Homan went on to say that he was unaware of the bus-stop arrest but would seek more information. He acknowledged that ICE no longer operates under its former sensitive-locations policy. DHS rescinded the Biden-era guidance in January 2025, restoring officers’ discretion to conduct enforcement in or near schools, hospitals and houses of worship.

A DHS spokesperson also fired back at Murphy’s comments and accused the Democratic senator of trying to score political points while immigration officers face increased threats of violence.

“Any claim that ICE targeted parents at a school bus stop is FALSE,” a DHS spokesperson said in a statement.

“Unsurprisingly, Senator Murphy’s narrative is a work of fiction aimed at scoring cheap political points at the expense of our officers, who are facing a 1,300% increase in assaults against them, a 3,200% increase in vehicular attacks against them, and an 8,000% increase in death threats against them,” the spokesperson added.

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“Under President Trump and Secretary Mullin, if you break the law, you will face the consequences,” the official continued. “Illegal aliens are not welcome in the U.S. We will find you, we will arrest you, and we will deport you whether Connecticut’s pro-criminal illegal alien senator likes it or not.”

DHS identified the man arrested in Danbury as Leonel Geovanny Morocho-Arteaga, 28, and said he entered the country illegally before Border Patrol arrested and released him in 2021. Agents found a large kitchen knife in his center console during Wednesday’s targeted vehicle stop, according to the department. DHS added that a child connected to the case remained under her mother’s guardianship without explaining their relationship.

Federal court records show Morocho-Arteaga filed a habeas corpus petition in Connecticut on Wednesday, the day of his arrest. DHS did not identify the other people whom Danbury United for Immigrants described as parents or provide a total for the week’s operation.

Danbury Mayor Roberto Alves said close to 50 community members were detained last week and described ICE activity near schools and a daycare, with an advocacy group saying four parents were taken while school buses were present.

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