DETROIT – Outside the U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office Sunday were desperate pleas from family members who were trying to communicate with their loved ones detained by agents.

Many of the dozens who were detained are Chaldeans who immigrated to the United States from Iraq.

"There's a reason why we fled our country. It's not to have fun in America. We fled to have a safe life for us and our kids," said Zeinab Al-Badry, whose husband was detained.

Family members said those who were detained came to the U.S. legally. Some of them are married to U.S. citizens and have American-born children. Many of them, however, have prior convictions. Under President Trump's immigration policy the country is cracking down on these immigrants and deporting them.

Here is a statement from ICE:

"The focus of these targeted enforcement operations is consistent with the routine, targeted arrests carried out by ICE's Fugitive Operations Teams on a daily basis."

After hours of waiting, the bus departed Sunday evening. Chaos and heartbreak ensued outside the ICE removal office.

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