HAMMOND, Ind. — Armed agents with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement department were "staging an operation" early Thursday in the parking lot of the city's police department, which triggered quick backlash from Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr.

"Let me be clear: Hammond does not have any agreements or partnerships with ICE that authorize them to use our city’s facilities or property for their operations," McDermott said in a prepared statement.

"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," he said.

City officials informed the ICE agents they were not authorized to stage operations on city property, according to the mayor. The ag

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