On the lookout for ICE

Immigration and Customs Enforcement hasn’t come to Storm Lake, but the town is anxious. 

Following a confirmed ICE raid at an Omaha, Neb. meat production plant Tuesday mornings, rumors of federal agents arriving in and around Buena Vista County have begun swirling on social media. 

They couldn’t be verified. 

“We understand that everyone is worried, as are we,” Gus Raymond, media contact for SALUD Multicultural Health Organization in Storm Lake, told the Times Pilot late Thursday morning. 

A review of social media posts allege ICE agents planned to descend on manufacturers in Storm Lake and Holstein. No agents or marked vehicles have been spotted at either location as of Thursday morning. 

Raymond acknowledged rumors circulating around town in the wake of the raid at Glenn Valley Foods in Omaha. But he assured SALUD has so far been unable to corroborate any credible threat of an ICE raid. 

“We have no confirmation of ICE in this area at this time,” Raymond said. “We are diligently keeping an eye on reports and will let the community know as soon as we have something verified.” 

ICE hasn’t contacted any Tyson plants, a media representative for Tyson Foods headquarters in Springdale, Ark. confirmed with the Storm Lake Times Pilot Thursday afternoon. 

Other rumors around social media claimed Tyson plants in Storm Lake ceased operations today because too few workers arrived for their shifts. The media representative resoundingly denied both rumors. 

Local immigration advocates and healthcare agencies have been on standby today in light of the fear of ICE’s impending arrival. It’s unclear yet where the rumors originated or whether anyone in Storm Lake has warned local organizations to remain wary. 

The AP confirmed with ICE yesterday that agents arrested more than 70 people during the Glenn Valley Foods raid on June 10. One of the workers, described as a “Honduras national,” allegedly assaulted federal agents as they attempted to detain him. 

Nearly a quarter of the residents in south Omaha are foreign-born, according to U.S. Census data. Over 30% of Storm Lake residents are foreign-born, also according to the Census. The actual percentage is believed to be much higher than that. 

Buena Vista County Sheriff Kory Elston didn’t immediately answer a request for comment on the rumors of ICE agents arriving in Storm Lake. A representative with the ICE office in Minnesota also didn’t respond to a request for comment. 

SALUD has assured its social media followers of its commitment to advocate and “stand beside” immigrants. 

“Fear is understandable, but it is also a tactic used to confuse, intimidate and dominate,” a Facebook post issued Thursday around 11 a.m. states. “Rumors are unintentionally (or perhaps intentionally) causing panic and helping no one.”

The post also encourages residents to verify any information about threats of immigration enforcement with trusted sources. And SALUD has asked anyone who notices ICE activity to contact the Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice hotline. 

SALUD hosted a series of webinars following Trump’s election earlier this year, the first of which featured an IMMJ attorney who encouraged attendees to “know their rights.” SALUD doesn’t believe ICE is present in Storm Lake now, but they want to ensure transparency if or when agents arrive. 

This story was updated June 12 around 4:05 p.m. to reflect a brief response from Tyson Foods. The Times Pilot will continue updating this story with any new information.