There is a sense of fear among many undocumented immigrants in Shelbyville.

ICE agents are in the midst of an operation, and some believe they're retaliating against Hispanics who are speaking out.

Customers are few and far between at Miguel Gonzalez's Shelbyville market.

"My store is empty, people don't come in like they used to," says Gonzalez.

The unpurchased tortillas here are a clear indicator.

Gonzalez says many undocumented members of the Hispanic community are afraid to come out of their homes.

"Fear to go to their jobs, fear to go shopping, they just don't know what to do right now," says Gonzalez.

Immigration and Customs agents are making arrests in Shelbyville and some believe the timing is suspicious.

Last week, the Hispanic community held a public forum and issued a report alleging racial profiling, and human rights violations by local and federal officers.

Some believe the new ICE operation is retaliation.

"Is it coincidence, or it it a concerted effort to terrorize the community into not standing up for their rights," says TIRCC Executive Director Stephen Fotopulos.

The Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition is bringing together advocates to take up the cause.

"Isn't this the South that we wanted to get rid of...this kind of behavior. I mean people acting for racial motivations," says Shelbyville Latino community supporter Bill Geissler.

FOX 17 News contacted ICE about the arrests, and received this statement, "These arrests...were part of a targeted enforcement action. In order not to compromise it, there are not further releasable details at this time."

Meanwhile, Miguel Gonzalez hopes his customers will soon return.

"When you see immigration knocking on doors, or go around the town all over, it's automatic, you're going to scare people," says Gonzalez.

For now the fresh tortillas he sells continue to pile up.

A spokesman for Immigration and Customs Enforcement says FOX 17 News will be notified when details of the Shelbyville investigation are made public.Shelbyville Hispanics Fear Arrest - John Dunn
Monday, September 19 2011, 10:13 PM CDT

Video at link:
http://www.fox17.com/newsroom/top_stori ... 9299.shtml