ICE Infiltrates Joliet? False Information Spread On Social Media By Warehouse Workers For Justice, Others

JOLIET, IL — On Monday morning, the Warehouse Workers for Justice nonprofit social justice organization spread false information to thousands of Facebook followers, claiming that ICE was occupying Joliet's east side, according to police.

"This morning around 6 a.m. ICE agents were confirmed in Joliet, on the corner of Henderson and Virginia/. There were no arrests but it's highly probable that they remain in the area. The cars involved in the activity are: 1 black Chevy Tahoe, 1 Nissan Armada, 1 white Nissan Titan pickup truck and a gray Ford Explorer. Residents across Joliet and surrounding suburbs are asked to take all necessary precautions especially if you have business at the Will County Courthouse today."

The Warehouse Workers for Justice erroneously shared out the following page on its Facebook page and then failed to update or correct the information even after the Joliet Police Department revealed the information about ICE being in Joliet was wrong.

From there, the incorrect post spread like wildfire as social media influencer Walter Pascual made multiple follow-up posts declaring, "Terrible how we start our week with a lot of ICE activity, take your precautions friends from Joliet, IL. ICE presence reported in LA Virginia, Joliet on the eastside of Joliet."

However, on Monday afternoon, the Joliet Police announced that there was federal law enforcement in Joliet around 6 a.m. at Henderson Avenue and Virginia Street.

"The operation was conducted by the Department of Homeland Security in connection with the service of a criminal complaint warrant. Federal agents advised officers that they were not with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The Joliet Police Department was notified that the operation was taking place but did not participate in the planning, service or execution of the warrant. Joliet police remained on scene in a public safety capacity only. Shortly after the operation, officers responded to a traffic crash involving a Department of Homeland Security vehicle and a private citizen's vehicle. ... Consistent with Illinois law, the Joliet Police Department does not participate in civil immigration enforcement."

Still, the damage caused by the wrong information could not be undone. Former City Council candidate Rosa Hernandez posted a number of Facebook Live videos on Monday morning from the scene — videos shared by hundreds of people.

Hernandez later took to her Facebook page to post a photo of a Joliet police officer, declaring, "Who can go with me tomorrow to the City Council meeting at 6 p.m. and ask the councilors why the Joliet Police were helping ICE and they didn't give them a ticket for hitting ICE officers."