Houston shuts down sick rumor that ICE agents are checking illegal immigrants for papers at shelters

Why should an epic emergency affecting Americans devastated by a hurricane dampen the left’s anti-Trump agenda?

The city of Houston took a Twitter cue from the president as it crushed rumors that illegal immigrants seeking refuge at shelters would have to present immigration papers or disclose their immigration status.

“We will not ask for immigration status or papers from anyone at the shelter. This rumor is FALSE!” the city tweeted Monday after unfounded rumors began circulating. The Trump-esque response, complete with an all-caps and exclamation adorned “FALSE!” was repeated in Spanish by the city of Houston as well.

Though no one came forward to reveal sources of the rumors, those looking for a way to push their anti-Trump rhetoric appear to know no bounds in making even an act of nature become a platform for politics.

Texas Sen. Ted Cruz shut down MSNBC liberals when an interview discussion about assistance for displaced residents turned to an attack on his record of voting against federal aid for Hurricane Sandy victims.

Houston’s Mayor Sylvester Turner also reassured illegal immigrants that they should feel confident seeking help at area shelters.

“There is no reason why anyone should not call, and I and others will be the first ones to stand up with you,” the Democrat mayor who is also a lawyer told reporters Monday, according to ABC News. “If someone comes and they require help and then for some reason [someone] tries to deport them, I will represent them myself.”

The Federal Emergency Management Agency  even addressed the question on an online information page dedicated to Hurricane Harvey. Immigration enforcement was not being conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement nor Customs and Border Protection at shelters or food banks, according to FEMA which had a section titled, “Rumor Control” on the site.

“The Federal Government strongly encourages all persons to follow the guidance of local officials and seek shelter regardless of their immigration status,” FEMA stated, noting that most shelters are run by the American Red Cross and other humanitarian agencies which seek to provide “support without regard to race, religion, or citizenship status.”

Social media users appeared to confirm Houston’s tweet, noting that only basic contact information was being required at shelters.

Hurricane Harvey continued to dump record rain on an already flooded Houston and other parts of Texas hit by the category 4 storm since it made landfall on Friday.

Social media has played a major role in getting information out in real time to everyone from evacuees, rescue teams and the rest of the world looking to help. It appears now that government officials also needed to take to Twitter to quell rumors started by those who bent on hurting President Trump at the expense of disaster victims.

Tensions and comments poured out on Twitter.

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Frieda Powers

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