Two students who were arrested in connection with fights in the cafeteria of a Phoenix charter school this week were transferred to U.S. and Immigration Customs enforcement Wednesday evening.

Tito Alvarado, 19, and Jessica Lopez-Barahona, 19, were in ICE custody after being released from Maricopa County Jail, ICE spokeswoman Amber Cargile said.

Alvarado and Lopez-Barahona, along with Destiny S. Cooper, 19, and three 17-year-olds, were arrested on suspicion of disorderly conduct in relation to fights at Maya High School. Cooper was also arrested on suspicion of violating a misdemeanor warrant, Phoenix Sgt. Tommy Thompson said.

ICE released a statement about the students Thursday afternoon:

"Tito Alvarado-Lopez and Jessica Barahona-Lopez came into U.S. Immigration and Enforcement (ICE) custody Wednesday evening following their release from the Maricopa County Jail. Both individuals were given notices to appear before an immigration judge and released on their own recognizance. An immigration judge will review their immigration cases at a future date."

The incident began Monday when two female students from the high school at 37th and Glendale avenues got into a fight on a city bus, Thompson said.

On Tuesday, two male students started fighting in the cafeteria about the scuffle on the bus, Thompson said.

An off-duty police officer hired as a school security guard tried to break up the fight and got kicked in the head, Thompson said. Another fight involving the two female students from Monday's incident then broke out, Thompson said.

Unable to handle two fights, the security guard pepper-sprayed students, Thompson said.

The Phoenix Police and Fire departments were called to assist.

Eleven students were evaluated for pepper spray but none required hospitalization, Thompson said.

Witnesses said other students were trying to break up the fights when they got pepper-sprayed and that a lot of people were crying and screaming.

About 10 people demonstrated outside the school Wednesday, protesting how the school handled the fight, including using pepper spray.

John Anderson, principal of Maya High School, denied any racial tension at the school and said the security's response to the fight was normal procedure.

"The safety of our students and our staff is our top priority," Anderson said.

http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2012/04/19/20120419two-students-charter-school-fight-face-immigration-judge-abrk.html#ixzz1slz8BUVz

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMm69vqP9_s"]Maya High School students charged for brawl - YouTube[/ame]