Immigrant activist groups want to see immigration agent's papers, after rumors circulated of nationwide round-ups of immigrants.
"Last week it began to leak that ICE [U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Immigration and Customs Enforcement] was planning one of the largest operations in history," Jacinta Gonzalez from Mijente explained.
"Operation Mega" never materialized. Neither did the predicted 8,000 to 10,000 arrests. According to reports across the nation from other media outlets, the roundup was scheduled to begin next week and would occur over the span of five days.
After it was reported, ICE officials said their plans had to be re-adjusted because of severe weather that had hit Texas and Florida.
About 80 Hispanic community groups across the country are now demanding to know what the president's plans are for immigration enforcement, following the department's originally planned roundup.
Using the Freedom of Information Act, the groups are asking ICE to make public certain documents about possible roundups.
"Across the country, people are saying, 'ICE, show me your papers,'" Gonzalez said. "You still have to be transparent; you still have to be accountable."
In response, ICE says there are no coordinated nationwide operations happening at this time. The agency mentions the needs of people of Texas and Florida to concentrate on hurricane recovery at the moment. In the rest of the country, federal agents say they will continue their normal fugitive arrest operations.
