FILE - In this May 25, 2010 file photo, an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent walks down the aisle among shackled Mexican immigrants a boarded a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement charter jet for deportation in the air between Chicago, Il. and Harlingen, Texas. A Homeland Security Department internal watchdog says U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement could have saved millions of dollars on charter flights carrying deported immigrants to their home countries by not leaving seats empty. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)

Despite what residents might have seen on social media Wednesday, Immigrations and Custom Enforcement (ICE) was not in Marshalltown.

A Facebook post regarding the presence of the federal agents, along with a photo from California, was shared multiple times in less than 24 hours, creating anxiety. Marshalltown Police Chief Mike Tupper said the rumor was certainly unfounded, and urged people to take caution when sharing similar posts on social media.

“It is always best to confirm information found on social media before accepting it as fact,” he said.

If Marshalltown residents hear a rumor relevant to policing, Tupper said calling the police department is a good place to start.

“The blanket sharing of unconfirmed information is dangerous and creates unnecessary anxiety in our community,” he said.

Responding to the rumor, Immigrant Allies of Marshalltown posted on Facebook, asking people to not share unconfirmed rumors. Engaging in the behavior “adds to a climate of fear and atmosphere of toxic stress,” the Allies post stated.

The fear and anxiety stems from an expected increase in ICE activity after President Donald Trump was sworn into office on Monday. On Tuesday, the Department of Homeland Security announced an end to a policy which prohibits ICE from raiding sensitive areas, such as schools, churches and hospitals. The day Trump took office, he signed executive orders pertaining to immigration including declaring a national emergency at the southern border and taking steps to end birthright citizenship.

——

Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 ext. 210

or lbradstream@timesrepublican.com.