DURANGO, Colo. (KREX) - A peaceful protest in Durango escalated Tuesday regarding the recent detainment of a family by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Federal agents pepper-sprayed demonstrators as they linked arms to block the outside of the ICE facility in Durango.

The protest stemmed from the arrest of two children, ages 12 and 15, and their father. According to the Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC), ICE detained the asylum-seeking family from Colombia on Monday. CIRC stated this happened despite the family having strong ties to the Durango community over the past 18 months and having a fully documented, pending asylum case.

ICE reportedly transferred the two children to an undisclosed location, separating them from their father. The family has no criminal record

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