A disturbing footage released by Oregon Public Broadcasting captures the moment when immigration officials detained an Oregon father, Mahdi Khanbabazadeh, during his morning daycare drop-off routine in Beaverton, a Portland suburb. The 38-year-old parent can be heard desperately requesting: “Just wait three minutes, there’s a baby in the car.”
Khanbabazadeh, who works as a licensed chiropractor and holds Iranian citizenship, was taken into custody on July 15 outside Guidepost Montessori school after being permitted to take his child inside. While ICE maintains he had exceeded his student visa duration, his relatives contest this assertion, noting his marriage to an American citizen and completed green card interview process.
Dashboard camera footage reveals the child’s voice exclaiming, “Daddy, the police!” as officials instruct Khanbabazadeh to lower his window. After presenting his documentation and explaining his daycare drop-off, agents initially allow him to proceed before intercepting him in the facility’s parking area.
Additional footage timestamped at 8:32 a.m. documents the father requesting agents to wait for his partner’s arrival: “There’s a baby in the car. Is it really that hard to wait three minutes?” he asks, according to The Independent.
Subsequent video shows law enforcement breaking through the driver’s window after ensuring the child’s removal. “I’m getting out of the car,” Khanbabazadeh informs the agents. One responds, “We told you three times. Unbuckle and get out.”
The final recording, captured by an onlooker, shows Mahdi Khanbabazadeh in handcuffs beside a black SUV, encircled by masked officials. “This is not okay, and no one here is identifying themselves,” states the person recording.
The incident unfolded before numerous parents, leaving many stunned by its aggressive nature. Randy Kornfield, present while dropping off his grandson, characterized the action as “heartless.” He also mentioned a confrontation between agents and a teacher demanding their identification.
“A daycare is supposed to be a safe place,” said mother Natalie Berning to OPB, as quoted by The Independent. “This was not only traumatic for the family, but for all the children who witnessed it.”
Kellie Burns, whose two children attend the school, reported her husband witnessed the window’s shattering. “It was unnecessarily violent and inhumane,” she stated. “Everyone felt powerless. Everyone was scared.”
The incident has sent shockwaves through the local community, particularly as it represents the first ICE operation near an educational institution in Oregon since the lapse of a federal mandate that previously restricted immigration enforcement activities around schools, religious establishments, and medical facilities.
ICE released a statement the following day, explaining they had initially attempted to conduct a traffic stop before “allowing the individual to drive into the daycare parking lot.” According to the agency, Mahdi Khanbabazadeh “stopped cooperating, resisted arrest, and refused to exit his vehicle,” necessitating agents to “break a window to proceed with the apprehension.”
Guidepost Montessori characterized the event as “deeply disturbing.” In a statement, CEO Maris Mendes said:
“We understand this event raises broader questions about how law enforcement actions intersect with school environments. We recognize how frightening this experience may have been, especially for the young children who witnessed it.”
Mahdi Khanbabazadeh remains detained at the ICE facility in Tacoma, Washington. His family continues to advocate for his immediate release, reports The Independent.
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Source: OPB.ORG
