"This is an issue of human rights. It's an issue of community panic. I think we all know how panic in the community can lead to very dangerous things," said Hector Chavana Jr., who's with the La Raza Justice Movement in Houston.
This dangerous rumor, apparently sent through text messages, began about immigration and customs enforcement activity taking place at Houston-area Wal-Marts. Chavana Jr. is trying to seek witness accounts of immigration raids in the area.
"As far as we can tell, a lot of it is just rumors. The last thing that I'm trying to verify is whether or not there was some I-9 verification going on, which is known as desk raids." Lauda, a long time server at Rosita's Mexican restaurant, says Hispanics are concerned about those desk raids.
"There's a lot of fear within the immigrant community in this country. We've come here looking for new opportunities," she told 39 News. "There's a lot of fear over the messages being sent through text messages on the cell phones."
Lauda says she hasn't seen this text message on a cell phone, but is worried because "the truth is we don't know if it's real or fake. (There's) a lot of fear. So much so that we don't want to go out. For example, we don't want to go to the store they're talking about or where there are a lot of Hispanic people."
Ice released a statement about the Wal-Mart raids on Wednesday, March 10.
"U.S. immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE) does not comment on its future operations. However, contrary to the reported rumors, ICE has no agreement with Wal-Mart regarding worksite enforcement operations."
Whether this rumor is true or not, the Hispanic community can't help but think about the possibility of having family members pulled apart.
"It's hurtful. They get the Mom and Dad who just left work. Kids are at the house. What's going to happen with those kids? What future will they have?"
39 News received a statement on these immigration text message rumors from Wal-Mart. The company says the "rumors circulating via text message, and other means, about Wal-Mart coordinating or supporting immigration raids in our stores are not true."
Wal-Mart went on to say these rumors are "baseless" and "inaccurate."
This dangerous rumor, apparently sent through text messages, began about immigration and customs enforcement activity taking place at Houston-area Wal-Marts. Chavana Jr. is trying to seek witness accounts of immigration raids in the area.
"As far as we can tell, a lot of it is just rumors. The last thing that I'm trying to verify is whether or not there was some I-9 verification going on, which is known as desk raids." Lauda, a long time server at Rosita's Mexican restaurant, says Hispanics are concerned about those desk raids.
"There's a lot of fear within the immigrant community in this country. We've come here looking for new opportunities," she told 39 News. "There's a lot of fear over the messages being sent through text messages on the cell phones."
Lauda says she hasn't seen this text message on a cell phone, but is worried because "the truth is we don't know if it's real or fake. (There's) a lot of fear. So much so that we don't want to go out. For example, we don't want to go to the store they're talking about or where there are a lot of Hispanic people."
Ice released a statement about the Wal-Mart raids on Wednesday, March 10.
"U.S. immigration and Customs Enforcement ( ICE) does not comment on its future operations. However, contrary to the reported rumors, ICE has no agreement with Wal-Mart regarding worksite enforcement operations."
Whether this rumor is true or not, the Hispanic community can't help but think about the possibility of having family members pulled apart.
"It's hurtful. They get the Mom and Dad who just left work. Kids are at the house. What's going to happen with those kids? What future will they have?"
39 News received a statement on these immigration text message rumors from Wal-Mart. The company says the "rumors circulating via text message, and other means, about Wal-Mart coordinating or supporting immigration raids in our stores are not true."
Wal-Mart went on to say these rumors are "baseless" and "inaccurate."
Digg
Twitter
Facebook
StumbleUpon
