AUSTIN (KXAN) – Amid swirling concerns and social media rumors of ramped-up U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Austin – including a possible focus on warming centers during a brutal winter storm – Mayor Kirk Watson said he has been told federal agents are conducting only “regular” operations.
“The City of Austin is aware of rumors circulating online of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents staging in Austin in preparation for operations here. City officials have been in contact with regional ICE representatives and have been assured that ICE does not have operations focused on Warming Center or Cold Weather Sheltering facilities,” Watson posted Saturday on X. “Officials have also been told that operations are regular ICE operations and that agents are not coming into Austin from other areas and checking into local hotels.”
KXAN reached out to the city on Monday for clarification about “regular ICE operations” in Austin. A city spokesperson reiterated Watson’s words about ICE agents not traveling from outside the area and checking into Austin hotels, but added: “Regarding ‘local’ ICE agents checking into hotels, ICE would need to address that question.”
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KXAN also reached out to ICE directly for further information, but the agency has not responded…