Mississippi News
Advocates worry Homeland Security may deter immigrants from seeking water
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 help 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 โto check things out,โ said Jess Manrriquez, director of the Queer and Trans Justice Project for the alliance. The department also released a statement last week saying agents would be in the city.ย
โWe don’t want anything to do with them because we have people on site who are vulnerable,โ Manrriquez said. โAs 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.โย
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 receive food and water and to apply for disaster-related assistance, are protected areas where โto the fullest extent possibleโ ICE and CBP don’t conduct immigration enforcement.ย
โICE and CBP provide emergency assistance to individuals regardless of their immigration status,โ according to the statement. โDHS officials 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 parents, 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 series of raids at poultry plants resulted in the detention of 680 people. Then-U.S. Attorney Mike Hurt called it โthe largest single state 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-free 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
โIt’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, donโt vote’
SUMMARY: David “Dave” Elliott, a local news anchor for WLOX in Biloxi for nearly 40 years, was fired after expressing political views on social media. He revealed on Facebook that his termination was due to his political opinions, specifically mentioning a video 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 manager about his dismissal was brief, and the topic of social media was raised. WLOX’s management declined to comment on the matter.
The post News anchor dropped after social media post telling Trump-haters supporting Harris: ‘Stay home, don’t vote’ appeared first on www.foxnews.com
Mississippi News
National Women’s March held in Tupelo brings locals together
SUMMARY: The Women’s March in Tupelo, Mississippi, joined national marches advocating for women’s rights, coinciding with events in Washington D.C. and other cities. Organized by Indivisible Northeast Mississippi, the march featured influential speakers who emphasized the importance of personal autonomy and women’s involvement in societal issues. Participants expressed gratitude for the event‘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 Jackson and Hattiesburg.
The post National Women’s March held in Tupelo brings locals together appeared first on www.wcbi.com
Mississippi News
‘Get Out to Vote’ rally encourages citizens to cast their ballots
SUMMARY: Elected officials in Columbus, Mississippi, are promoting voter participation ahead of election day through a โGet Out to Voteโ rally hosted by State Representative Kabir Karriem and District Supervisor Leroy Brooks. The event provided free food and drinks while emphasizing the significance of exercising voting 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.
The post ‘Get Out to Vote’ rally encourages citizens to cast their ballots appeared first on www.wcbi.com
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