An NPR reporter publicly criticized the U.S. Border Patrol Sunday, arguing their presence at a Houston shelter would prevent immigrants from taking advantage of the facility.
I just spotted @CBP immigration agents outside the main flood shelter in downtown Houston. This is why immigrants don’t want to come. pic.twitter.com/xnGKA0SGuy
— Adrian Florido (@adrianflorido) September 3, 2017
The U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) twitter account responded to the reporter, Adrian Florido, informing him that immigration operations have been suspended to enable the agency to devote their resources to the ongoing disaster relief efforts taking place in Houston after Hurricane Harvey.
As we have stated numerous times, CBP is supporting hurricane response efforts, no immigration enforcement ops.
— CBP (@CustomsBorder) September 3, 2017
Florido, who reports on race, identity and culture for NPR then tweeted updates during his investigation into why the Border Patrol agents were present.
I asked the @CustomsBorder officers if they were conducting an immig. operation. 1 said “no,” another: “disaster relief,” 3rd: “no comment.”
— Adrian Florido (@adrianflorido) September 3, 2017
Also, this Border Patrol truck is parked outside my hotel. A half-block from GRB Convention Center shelter(that’s it in the background). pic.twitter.com/iF1lO083QY
— Adrian Florido (@adrianflorido) September 3, 2017
He later elaborated on his initial objection to the Border Patrol agents, explaining that he was concerned illegal immigrants would be hesitant to take shelter despite numerous assurances that immigration operations were suspended temporarily.
Yes but CBP, BP officers right in front of shelter unlikely to encourage undoc’d immigs who need shelter to take it regardless of assurances https://t.co/RvZJ95ktaS
— Adrian Florido (@adrianflorido) September 3, 2017
Officials announced Tuesday night that south Texas Border Patrol units were being dispatched to aid in rescue efforts as the flood waters rose in the Houston area. They reiterated that they were not conducting immigration operations Thursday after false reports to the contrary emerged.
“Some inaccurate reporting has suggested that we are present with the intent of conducting immigration enforcement, but that is simply not the case,” Immigration and Customs Enforcement press secretary Jennifer D. Elzea said in an email to reporters.
“These false reports are furthering an unhelpful narrative that could ultimately discourage people from seeking help in a dire situation,” she added.
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