Potential ICE activity spotted in Chattanooga
Videos and photos have emerged of apparent ICE activity and detentions in Chattanooga's East Brainerd area, with witnesses reporting officers in military gear and the detainment of individuals, including a man taken from behind a building. Witnesses also described officers entering homes without visible warrants and questioned the legality of their actions. ICE has acknowledged receiving reports and stated that they do not typically release detailed information about enforcement activities. The investigation into the event is ongoing.
Local 3 has obtained video and photos of what appears to be U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Office activity and the detainment of people in the Heritage Park area of Chattanooga.
Viewers first sent us photos of men wearing military-style fatigues and tactical vests near an under-construction neighborhood off Jenkins Road near East Brainerd Road.
A witness named Karla tells us six to eight people were taken away from the site on Tuesday morning, February 24:
"I saw like two officers that had 'ICE' bulletproof vests on. They were escorting a gentleman out from behind a building. It looked to be like a Latino worker, and so he was, you know, scooting him into the vehicle, and I saw a bunch of other people, kind of running, and there were plenty of officers out there, where they were each going into different houses and kind of different buildings, and kind of looking behind stuff, trying to see if they can find other people."
Another witness confronted the men searching an unfinished home for more people. Here's his exchange with the officers:
"Do y'all have a warrant to enter this residence?" the man asked.
"Uh yeah they had a warrant," an officer responded
"Can I see it?"
"We don't have it in our hands, sir [...] You'll have to call the supervisor; I don't have the warrant."
"What's the supervisor's number?"
"You'll have to call the ICE office in Chattanooga."
"I think that's pretty illegal if you don't have a warrant. What's the suspicion, they're brown? Is that right? They're brown, is that the problem?
"No, I ain't foolin' with you."
"Well, I'm glad y'all aren't wearing masks, at least you have the b*** to not hide your face."*
Local 3 reached out to ICE in Nashville to ask about what witnesses described. An ICE representative tells us they are looking into it.
They also said in part:
"ICE does not release comprehensive details on all enforcement activity. Information regarding specific actions, arrests, or operations is provided only when appropriate and in accordance with agency protocols and privacy considerations."
Our team will continue to investigate what happened today in the East Brainerd area.
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