The first week of school in parts of Long Island has been marked by concern and confusion after reports surfaced of masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents appearing near school grounds as students arrived for class.

Community advocacy group Islip Forward shared photos that allegedly show masked ICE officers positioned just outside Brentwood High School early Wednesday morning, coinciding with the school’s opening day. A similar scene was reportedly observed outside Alverta B. Schultz Middle School in Hempstead on Thursday.

Parents and community members are expressing alarm at what they say is a troubling presence near institutions meant to be safe havens for children.

“The kids are supposed to have peace, not be in fear,” said Marta, a Brentwood grandmother. “It’s terrible. The kids haven’t done anything wrong — they’re not criminals. I don’t understand why [ICE] has to come near the school.”

The Brentwood School District responded by issuing a message to families, assuring them that ICE agents did not enter school property. However, the proximity of immigration enforcement activity to the school has nonetheless left many residents shaken.

School officials in Hempstead said the officers did not enter school grounds, and said there has been no substantive given to the district that there were actual ICE agents at the school.