The Bryan Police Department released an official statement to local media in response to online posts detailing the operations of ICE, agents throughout Bryan-College Station on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

The statement verified rumors regarding the agency’s activity, with Bryan PD claiming they do not have any affiliation with ongoing operations.

“The Bryan Police Department is not involved in federal law enforcement, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement,” Bryan Police Chief Dean Swartzlander said. “While we respect and uphold the constitutional rights to free assembly and free expression, those rights do not include interfering with active law enforcement operations or placing public safety at risk. Our priority is the safety of our community.”

In recent weeks, videos have circulated online showing ICE agents operating on University Drive, Highway 21 and throughout the greater Bryan area. Residents have taken to online forums and social media platforms to document the sightings.

Protests and other organized demonstrations continue to take place throughout Bryan-College Station, notably at the intersection of East Villa Maria Drive and Texas Avenue, where Bryan High School students assembled in response to the detention of two students’ father. Bryan PD emphasized the importance of keeping these protests within lawful areas and refraining from interfering with official operations.

“While the Constitution protects free speech and peaceful assembly, those protections do not allow individuals to enter or disrupt active law enforcement areas,” the statement reads. “ … Just as the public is kept back from accident scenes, fire responses, or secured crime scenes, similar safety boundaries are in place during active law enforcement operations. These measures are necessary to protect the public, officers, and first responders.”

Bryan PD has not published any further information at this time.