Seattle police dispute claims of ICE vehicle seen near school

Name: Patrol car mistaken as ICE at Seattle middle school
Uploaded: 2025-04-10T11:45:18-07:00
Description: Confusion and panic — a local principal warned parents that an ICE vehicle was parked near a school. Now, Seattle police are saying that's not true.

Patrol car mistaken as ICE at Seattle middle school

Confusion and panic — a local principal warned parents that an ICE vehicle was parked near a school. Now, Seattle police are saying that's not true.

SEATTLE - Officials at Denny International Middle School in West Seattle pulled students inside from lunch after claiming they saw a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement vehicle near the campus.

According to a letter posted by the school, officials received word that someone spotted an ICE truck in the parking lot of the Southwest Athletic Center while 8th grade students were outdoors during lunch.

The school brought the students inside early as a precaution.

Seattle police dispute claims of ICE vehicle

Hours after SPS sent a note to parents alerting them of the ICE vehicle, Seattle police released a statement saying this report was false, and that it was actually a police patrol car:

"A school administrator emailed parents and community members stating an ICE vehicle had been seen near the school. This was false. The vehicle was from the Seattle Police Department as part of a commitment to prevent crime and protect students near schools where violence has become a concern," reads the statement. "It is not our goal to alarm anyone with our presence as this is an effort to intervene in any issues before they escalate."

Apology from Seattle Public Schools

What they're saying:

Principal Mary Ingraham directed staff to bring students indoors, and apologized for the confusion and distress after the fact.

"Given the sensitive time we are in, I sincerely apologize for the distress and confusion caused by sharing incorrect information. These patrols are at the request of SPS, and SPD has made a commitment to the district to conduct additional patrols around some of our campuses before and after school and during lunch periods. These patrols are not to monitor students, but to provide extra visibility into the surrounding neighborhoods," wrote Ingraham in a follow-up letter to parents, "The police are using all available resources – including unmarked vehicles with government plates – for these directed patrols. The district was not aware SPD was using unmarked patrol units until this incident."

Ingraham went on to say that the school remains safe and that no students or staff were ever at risk.

"Please be assured I am taking steps to ensure accurate communication is shared in the future. I want to express my deep appreciation for our community—your care, support, and grace means a lot," wrote Ingraham.

What's next:

Seattle Public Schools staff are prohibited from participating or aiding immigration enforcement against students, their families, staff, and volunteers.

Seattle police affirmed they do not enforce civil federal immigration laws, and said they will never ask a person's immigration status unless directly connected to criminal investigation, such as human trafficking.

The Source: Information in this story comes from Seattle Public Schools.