Amidst the Houston area’s struggle to recuperate following the disastrous Hurricane Harvey, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has announced that it received “disturbing” reports that people are pretending to be Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents. These tricksters are telling Houston residents to leave their homes, ABC News reports.
Believing that these posers are trying to rob people’s homes, ICE officials released a statement on the matter via Twitter.
“Real HSI officials wear badges that are labeled ‘special agent,’ which members of the public can ask to see and verify,” the message read. “Members of the public who receive such visitors should ask to see these properly labeled badges, and their credentials. In addition, these officers and special agents would be conducting hurricane relief operations with other local law enforcement agencies.”
ICE agents & officers carry official badges and/or credentials which members of the public can ask to see & verify https://t.co/35WqtXAqEH pic.twitter.com/pcjaajDr3z
— ICE (@ICEgov) August 30, 2017
ICE has called forth officials from all over the country to help with Harvey’s aftermath, with approximately 200 law enforcement officers now in southeast Texas to “provide security for search and rescue teams.” In addition to the warning to look out for fake officers, ICE also emphasized that officials will not be tracking illegal immigrants during any rescue operations. The message comes after Houston’s mayor, Sylvester Turner, announced he would represent anyone who faced the threat of deportation after seeking safety.
ICYMI, Houston’s mayor doesn’t want immigrants to fear deportation when seeking help during Hurricane Harvey. pic.twitter.com/6zS1pEhz2n
— AJ+ (@ajplus) August 30, 2017
“If you are in a stressful situation, I don’t care who you are, I don’t care what your religion is, I don’t care what your language is,” Turner said during a press conference, “you come and take advantage of every service that we have.”
Houston is a caring city that fosters cooperation, neighbors looking out for neighbors, and pulling together to face our shared challenge.
— Sylvester Turner (@SylvesterTurner) August 30, 2017
Although the Houston region is far from being back to normal, it’s heartfelt warnings and messages like these that prove that the storm won’t beat its victims.