(CNN) - Federal agents headed to a city in Oregon early this morning after protesters blocked a bus carrying people in Immigration and Customs Enforcement custody (ICE).
The Bend City Police Department confirmed that federal agents had arrived on the scene, but local police were not assisting them. Police Chief Mike Krantz said the department learned that ICE agents were in town for an investigation, "however, they did not inform us of their detailed plans."
Federal agents have fled the area, the police department said, and protesters have dispersed "peacefully."
Acting Deputy Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Ken Cuccinelli said the presence of law enforcement was to arrest two undocumented people with "a history of violent criminal behavior."
"While ICE respects the rights of individuals to peacefully express their opinion, that does not include illegally interfering with their federal law enforcement duties," Cuccinelli said in a statement. "ICE will take all necessary steps to ensure the safety of its officers and detainees, and will vigorously seek protection against anyone who endangers them."
ICE regional public affairs officer Tanya Roman said in a statement to CNN affiliate KTVZ that "due to the sensitivity of law enforcement and the safety of agents, ICE does not review planned operations."
“Despite serious challenges, ICE remains committed to our mission of public safety and ICE agents will continue to fulfill their duty to search for dangerous alien criminals and other violators of immigration laws. ICE seeks direct cooperation with state and local law enforcement and has never requested them to enforce federal immigration law.
The district attorney for Deschutes County, where the city of Bend is located, also commented on the situation.
"I was at the scene of the confrontation with ICE and was impressed by the passion and empathy shown by our community," Deschutes County District Attorney John Hummel said in a tweet. He added that he, the governor, the mayor and the police chief "have been trying to negotiate a resolution with DHS, without success."
"We're here," he tweeted to Acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf, "we're going to fix it."
CNN has reached out to the governor's office for comment.
CNN's Christina Walker contributed to this report.
