Fear percolates in Iowa City area amid claims of ICE vehicle sightings [Video]

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – If you looked at social media Wednesday, you may have seen them—posts about U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) vehicles in the area.

Right now, that appears to be all that’s happening, online chatter, but these posts speak to real fear, confusion, and past trauma in the community.

Alejandra Escobar with Escucha Mi Voz said the advocacy organization got 30 to 40 calls just on Tuesday.

“They’re mostly like ‘I just saw this ICE vehicle.’ They have been the three same vehicles. They have been at Amazon in Iowa City, IHOP in Coralville, Acapulco, which is a Latino store in Iowa City,” said Escobar.

Escobar said people in the community are courageous and ready to fight policies that harm immigrants, but her conversation with TV9 also demonstrated the presence of real fear.

“If [someone is] stopped on the street, just please don’t run. Yeah. Because …