Federal agents with Immigration Customs and Enforcement (ICE) raided two Morristown homes looking for an alleged gang member earlier this week.

The Castellanos, an immigrant family from Honduras, live at one of the homes that was raided. Family members claim ICE agents forced their way into the house without showing a warrant. They say the agents entered with weapons drawn and demanded answers from a 7-year-old about a fugitive MS-13 gang member.

ICE agents say they entered the homes with the occupants? consent. In a statement, an ICE spokesperson said, ?Agents took special precaution to ensure the safety of the child and other people at a location known to be frequented by a gang member of the violent and dangerous MS-13 gang.?

In all, agents arrested seven people, four on drug charges and three for failing to have legal documentation. Edward Castellano, 28, was among those arrested on immigration charges. ICE officials say all seven have ties to MS-13. It is not known if the fugitive gang member was among those arrested.

Castellano?s family insists he is innocent. Family members have hired a lawyer and are fighting his deportation.

Meanwhile, the raids come on the heels of the approval of an application to have Morristown police officers deputized as immigration agents. ?This absolutely confirms what I have been saying is accurate,? Mayor Donald Cresitello said. ?It confirms we need to be in better cooperation with ICE.?

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