Immigration Officials Scared Kids By Parking At WaHi School: Pols

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS-INWOOD, NY — Upper Manhattan officials and advocates rallied in front of a Washington Heights school this week to denounce United States Customs and Border Protection for attempting to intimidate community members.

The federal agency drummed up panic in the immigrant neighborhood last week when an agent parked his truck on the sidewalk in front of PS 153 on West 169th Street and Broadway. People held up signs at Monday's rally in front of the school reading "we are all immigrants," and "safe families, safe schools."

Congressman Adriano Espaillat said that locations such as schools and places of worship should be respected by immigration authorities.

"We are standing united and speaking out to ensure immigrant families remain vigilant and feel safe when taking their kids to school, going to places of worship, or seeking critical public services or assistance throughout the community," Espaillat said during the rally.

Advocates took the message a step further, denouncing agencies such as Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for using intimidation tactics in the neighborhood.

"Today, parents, educators, elected officials and other leaders reminded everyone that our community is brave and resilient, and that we will not stand for any kind of intimidation by CBP agents or any other law enforcement officials abusing power. Neither intimidation nor injustice will ever be welcomed in Washington Heights," Alba Lucero Villa of the Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights said in a statement.

A Customs and Border Protection agent parked his truck in front of the school Thursdayto grab lunch across the street at neighborhood bar Coogan's the Daily News reported. Shortly after the truck parked on the sidewalk, two street vendors fled the scene fearing a raid, according to the report.

Julie Zuckerman, principal of PS 153, told the Daily News that the agents didn't appear to be conducting any official business and the act of parking on the sidewalk is "outrageous" and an "abuse of power" in and of itself.