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Advocates worry Homeland Security may deter immigrants from seeking water

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Advocates worry Homeland Security’s presence in Jackson may deter immigrants from seeking out water

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has sent agents to Jackson to with emergency water distribution efforts, but organizers who work with undocumented immigrants say its presence may prevent them from seeking assistance.ย 

The Immigrant Alliance for Justice and Equity is distributing water from its headquarters at 406 West Fortification St. It is also collecting donations for two immigrant families impacted by flooding in central Mississippi about two weeks ago. Much of the operation is volunteer-based.

Organizers learned DHS agents would be in Jackson on a call where an agent announced they would visit distribution sites โ€œto check things out,โ€ said Jess Manrriquez, director of the Queer and Trans Justice for the alliance. The department also released a statement last week saying agents would be in the .ย 

โ€œWe don’t want anything to do with them because we have people on site who are vulnerable,โ€ Manrriquez said. โ€œAs much as they say they won’t (conduct immigration enforcement), we don’t believe that. There are too many instances of people getting caught up.โ€ย 

DHS includes Immigration Customs and Enforcement and Customs and Border Patrol, which are agencies responsible for immigration enforcement.ย 

In a Friday statement, the department said emergency relief sites, such as those to food and water and to apply for disaster-related assistance, are protected areas where โ€œto the fullest extent possibleโ€ ICE and CBP don’t conduct immigration enforcement.ย 

โ€œICE and CBP provide emergency assistance to individuals regardless of their immigration status,โ€ according to the statement. โ€œDHS do not and will not pose as individuals providing emergency-related information as part of any enforcement activities.โ€

Other examples of protected areas include schools, hospitals, places of worship and social services establishments.ย 

Manrriquez said she doesn’t take the department’s word as a guarantee not to enforce immigraton laws. Although DHS says it won’t do it, the department relies on individual agents to determine whether to enforce the laws, she said.ย 

People who the alliance has helped have reported ICE agents going to protected sites such as schools to request information about children’s , she said.ย 

DHS has also deported people during crises, the alliance said in a Tuesday statement.ย 

The alliance also highlighted the department’s impact in Mississippi. In 2019, a of raids at poultry plants resulted in the detention of 680 people. Then-U.S. Attorney Mike Hurt called it โ€œthe largest single immigration enforcement operation in our nation’s history.โ€

Unless DHS agents wear a badge, uniform or other form of department identification, Manrriquez said there isn’t a way to know whether they visited the alliance’s water distribution site.ย 

The alliance’s headquarters is a DHS and ICE- zone, she said.ย 

The National Guard has been called in to distribute water, similar to how members administered COVID-19 shots earlier in the pandemic.ย 

Manrriquez said people who are undocumented and in the immigrant community are not as comfortable around people in uniforms. There is a fear that they will be asked to show immigration documents, she said.ย 

โ€œIt’s just the perception, it honestly is,โ€ Manrriquez said.ย 

This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

Mississippi News

News anchor dropped after social media post telling Trump-haters supporting Harris: ‘Stay home, donโ€™t vote’

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www.foxnews.com – – 2024-11-04 11:51:00

SUMMARY: David “Dave” Elliott, a anchor for in for nearly 40 years, was fired after expressing political views on social . He revealed on Facebook that his termination was due to his political opinions, specifically mentioning a where he advised people not to vote out of hatred for Donald Trump. Elliott characterized his social media posts as satire, distinguishing them from his professional work. He noted that the discussion with his station’s general about his dismissal was brief, and the topic of social media was raised. WLOX’s management declined to comment on the matter.

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Mississippi News

National Women’s March held in Tupelo brings locals together

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www.wcbi.com – Kaleb Green – 2024-11-02 22:19:00

SUMMARY: The Women’s March in , Mississippi, joined national marches advocating for women’s rights, coinciding with in Washington D.C. and other . Organized by Indivisible Northeast Mississippi, the march influential speakers who emphasized the importance of personal autonomy and women’s involvement in societal issues. Participants expressed gratitude for the ‘s significance in a small town, with speakers urging women to fight for their rights and control their own bodies. The message for young women included themes of independence and empowerment, encouraging them to pursue their goals bravely. The Tupelo march was part of a larger movement encompassing similar events in and Hattiesburg.

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Mississippi News

‘Get Out to Vote’ rally encourages citizens to cast their ballots

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www.wcbi.com – Khamari Haymer – 2024-11-02 20:01:00

SUMMARY: Elected in Columbus, Mississippi, are promoting voter participation ahead of election day through a โ€œGet Out to Voteโ€ rally hosted by Representative Kabir Karriem and District Supervisor Leroy Brooks. The provided food and drinks while emphasizing the significance of exercising rights. Karriem stressed the importance of voting, stating every citizen should participate. Brooks, reflecting on the historical struggles for voting rights, underscored that voting should be a natural part of civic engagement. The rally took place in front of the Lowndes County Courthouse, encouraging community members to take action.

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