A Southwest Florida fire department has issued a statement that clarifies its involvement in federal immigration enforcement.
The Lehigh Acres Fire Control and Rescue District shared a public statement on Monday, July 20, which addresses some concerns that have been circulating across social media regarding the first responder agency, stating that the department is “not detaining, transporting or holding individuals at any of our facilities.”
Images depicting ICE vehicles parked outside a fire department building were shared online, according to the statement.
“The district did not authorize the use of its property for the activities depicted in the social media posts,” the fire department said.
The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to request for comment or information about ICE operations in Lehigh Acres.
The fire department said that it would continue to serve the community “without regard to immigration status.”
In response to concerned citizens in the comments, the LAFD said that it is “not able to speak to [immigration enforcement’s] operations or decisions” and that the circumstances surrounding the matter are under review.
The department did not immediately respond to requests for comment made by the News-Press.
According to the United States Census Bureau, Lehigh Acres is approximately 92.7 sq. miles and 49.2% of the population is Hispanic or Latino, 37.8% of the population of Lehigh Acres is white and 18% of the population is Black.
“Hispanics may be of any race, so also are included in the data for applicable race categories,” according to the Census Bureau.
Tayeba Hussein is a breaking news reporter for The News-Press & Naples Daily News. Reach her at thussein@usatodayco.com.
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This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Lehigh Acres fire department issues statement after ICE concerns spread
Reporting by Tayeba Hussein, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Fort Myers News-Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Tayeba Hussein, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News | USA TODAY Network
