Thread: Fake News on Immigration Checkpoints Causes Panic

Fake News on Immigration Checkpoints Causes Panic Across California

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John Moore / Getty

by ADELLE NAZARIAN 6 Feb 201739


A series of fake news hoaxes over social media, which falsely suggested authorities had set up immigration checkpoints aimed at deporting illegal aliens, caused panic this weekend across California.

“It appears that unknown subjects are trying to create a public panic and we want our community to be assured that this is a complete hoax,” the Fontana Police Department said in a statement, according to the Los Angeles Times. “We understand that fake news can spread quickly via social media and encourage you to always fact check things you read or hear.”

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Spokeswoman Virginia Kice told the Daily Bulletin, “We don’t do checkpoints.”

According to the San Gabriel Valley Tribune, the rumors about the immigration checkpoint were traced to the Mr Checkpoint account on Twitter, which tweeted, “NOW #InlandEmpire Immigration Checkpoint #Ontario near Euclid Ave & 60 Freeway.”

2 Feb
JR @jr1224_

IS THIS AN APP OR HOW DID YOU FIND OUT? IS IT REAL? https://twitter.com/himay3000/status/827281161328091136 …

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jaime @himay3000

@jr1224_ it was on Mr. Checkpoint. They usually get DUI checkpoints correct & they use police scanners. Haven't passed by personally though.
4:00 PM - 2 Feb 2017

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However, once Mr Checkpoint discovered those rumors were fake news, it posted on Facebook: “[]Looks like we have false reports of Immigration Checkpoints. Many people had messaged this and it looks like intentional misinformation that was meant to spread confusion & negativity.” It added, “Please move past this so we can shift back to positive energy.”


View image on Twitter

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Mr. Checkpoint™ @MrCheckpoint

It's all about love!
8:21 PM - 2 Feb 2017

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Mr. Checkpoint™ @MrCheckpoint

Trying to figure out this whole immigration checkpoint thing going on in Ontario right now. I'm hoping we don't see more of these..
2:40 PM - 2 Feb 2017

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Mr. Checkpoint™ @MrCheckpoint

We received several reports of an immigration checkpoint that were found to not have occurred. Deleting that tweet and will keep you posted.
5:13 PM - 2 Feb 2017

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Some social media users reportedly stated that the brief detentions of some individuals in airports this past weekend, coupled with protests that wound up backing up traffic for hours, amplified concerns.

“Rumors currently being circulated — primarily on social media, claiming the agency has set up checkpoints at multiple locations in Los Angeles — or that the agency is conducting random ‘raids’ are completely baseless,” Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman Virginia Kice told the Times. “The agency is working diligently to address these false reports, and we urge the media not to give them credence. It only encourages ill-informed people to act irresponsibly.”

http://www.breitbart.com/california/...-deportations/

More fake news @

BREAKING: Trump’s First Illegal Immigrant Raid Underway…

KTLA

Fontana Police Warn Residents of Immigration Checkpoint Hoax

POSTED 5:17 PM, FEBRUARY 3, 2017, BY CINDY VON QUEDNOW, UPDATED AT 05:56PM, FEBRUARY 3, 2017

Fontana Police said Friday they have been receiving several calls and social media inquiries about officers from their agency conducting immigration checkpoints, but are warning residents that the checkpoints are a hoax.

“The Fontana Police Department wants our community to know we are not participating in any immigration check points nor is there any being conducted in the City of Fontana,” officials said in a news release.

They added that those involved are “trying to create a public panic and we want our community to be assured that this is a complete hoax.”

Police and immigration officials said no checkpoints are planned, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Virginia Kice, a spokesperson for Immigration and Customs Enforcement told the newspaper that the rumors of immigration checkpoints have been circulating across the US this week, primarily on social media.

It is unclear if officials will be investigating those who are conducting the checkpoints or if any arrests have been made.
Anyone with questions about the fake immigration checkpoints can call Sgt. Kevin Goltara at 909-854-8013.

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Fontana PD @FontanaPD

#FontanaPD wants the community to know about an Immigration Check Point hoax that is going around on social media. http://eepurl.com/cAwOJ9
4:53 PM - 3 Feb 2017

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http://ktla.com/2017/02/03/fontana-p...eckpoint-hoax/

Real news from Fontana last month didn't cause panic.

CA. 67 Arrested as ‘Operation Bad Blood’ Targets South Fontana, Mexican Mafia Gangs