Fake Milwaukee police ICE information spreading; MPA president responds
MILWAUKEE - There is fear and confusion after a fake news release spread on social media.
What we know:
A post claims that the Milwaukee Police Department is working with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to detain people.
The Milwaukee Police Association quickly shot down this rumor.
The backstory:
It was around 9 p.m. on Monday night, Feb. 4, when MPA President Alexander Ayala said he learned some misinformation involving the MPA had been circulating on social media.
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Ayala said a fake news release implied that officers are working with ICE agents.
"Immediately I knew that it was a false, fake statement that had come out," Ayala said. "Somebody had copied our letterhead and put different logos on it, then sent it out. We have nothing to do with immigration policies, neither does the Milwaukee Police Department."
Ayala said this isn't the first he's seen dangerous false information about immigration enforcement.
Dig deeper:
Forward Latino President & Chairman Darryl Morin said it's not just misinformation online. In New Berlin, a man was recently charged for impersonating a border patrol officer.
US Border Patrol impersonation, New Berlin man accused
A New Berlin man is accused of posing as a U.S. Border Patrol agent twice in January -- one in Muskego, once in New Berlin.
"We are receiving dozens of reports in areas of concern, etc. and we are verifying them as quickly as possible. 99% of them have been false," Morin said. "Imposters are pretending to be members of ICE or customs. This false information really hurts our community as a whole."
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What you can do:
MPA wants people to be careful about what they share online. If you have a concern, Forward Latino said you can report it to their organization.
The Source: The Milwaukee Police Association and Forward Latino