Shock in Oregon: U.S. agents arrest Iranian father in Front of his child

The arrest took place in the suburbs of Portland, Oregon, and has led to widespread outrage among the local community. ICE agents broke the car window in front of the daycare’s staff, children, and parents to detain this Iranian citizen.

According to the Associated Press, American families at a preschool in Portland’s suburbs were left stunned after immigration officers arrested a father during morning drop-off hours, smashing his car window to detain him in front of children, families, and school staff.

Natalie Berning, after dropping her daughter at the Montessori daycare in Beaverton, said: “I feel that a daycare, a place where young children are cared for, should be a safe space. This is traumatizing not just for this family, but for all the other children as well.”

The American news agency described the allegedly unlawful arrest of Mehdi Khanbabazadeh, a 38-year-old Iranian chiropractor: “Khanbabazadeh was stopped by ICE agents on Tuesday while dropping off his child at school. According to his wife, who asked to remain anonymous for privacy reasons, when he asked if he could first drop off his child, he continued driving and called his wife to inform her of the situation.”

The Associated Press added: “According to his wife, Khanbabazadeh remained in his car in the parking lot and asked if he could move somewhere away from the school grounds out of concern for the children and families. As he left the parking lot and began to exit his vehicle on the street, the agents broke the window and arrested him.”

Kelly Burns, who has two children enrolled at the preschool, told the news agency that her husband was present and heard the sound of shattering glass. “Above all, we want to express how violent and inhumane this was. Everyone felt helpless. Everyone was terrified.”

ICE claimed in a statement that Khanbabazadeh was arrested for overstaying his visa. His wife denies this claim.

Despite ICE’s claim about Khanbabazadeh’s visa status, his wife told the Associated Press: “He has always maintained his legal status. After he entered the U.S. on a valid student visa and we married, we submitted all necessary documentation to adjust his status. After his interview, we have been waiting months for the final green card decision.”

She said Khanbabazadeh is being held at the ICE detention center in Tacoma, Washington.