Suspected ICE agents spotted in Region cemetery

The officers "staged" in the back portion of the cemetery, but were gone by noon, Santos said. It was unclear from the township's statement whether the officers were asked to leave or left on their own.

"Oak Hill Cemetery is a sacred space and a place of rest, reflection and remembrance," Santos said. "It should never be used in a manner that causes fear or distress within our community. We remain devoted to transparency, dignity and advocacy for all people and especially the most vulnerable among us."

The announcement comes just more than 24 hours after Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. said the city had asked armed ICE agents to move on from where they had set up shop in the parking lot of the local police department.

"It is deeply concerning that federal agents would enter and use Hammond’s property without permission - especially when the Federal Courthouse is located just one block west of our police headquarters," McDermott had said.

City officials informed the ICE agents they were not authorized to stage operations on city property, according to the mayor. The agents reportedly complied and relocated their operation elsewhere in the city, he said.

There then followed several reports and videos of suspected ICE agents during the day Thursday arresting people around East Chicago.

"We want to be clear, the office of the North Township trustee was not notified, did not coordinate and did not authorize this activity," Santos said of the sighting early Friday.

"Our office stands firmly with and for the people we serve," he said. "We understand how alarming and distressing this situation may have been for our staff and for our residents and families with loved ones laid to rest at Oak Hill Cemetery. Please know that ICE is no longer present on cemetery grounds."

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