Burke deserves better than online rumors about ICE activity

From time to time, segments of our community become caught up in speculation driven by social media posts about what might be happening locally. We saw this during heated discussions, petitions, and protests about undocumented efforts to build lithium battery manufacturing plants at the Megasite.

We are seeing it again with a surge of local online speculation suggesting that the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is either conducting or is poised to conduct raids in Burke County.

The national media is crackling about actual immigration crackdowns by ICE agents in Charlotte. Dubbed “Charlotte’s Web,” the action concluded Thursday in North Carolina’s largest city after netting more than 250 arrests, said Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden.

ABC News reported afterward that ICE agents are expected to be redeployed to New Orleans.

In Morganton, where no ICE activity was verified as of Thursday, recent Census data states that 23% of Morganton’s population of 18,000 are Hispanic. Morganton ranks as the 38th most Hispanic city in North Carolina when considering the share of the population. The state average for Hispanic population is 10%.

The American Community Survey estimates that about 3.5% of Burke County’s population of 91,000 are foreign born.

Given those ratios and the recent ICE arrests in Charlotte, it is understandable that many residents encountered speculative reports of ICE activity in Burke on their digital platforms. Our immigrant families are understandably anxious. As are their employers.

For the past several weeks we’ve received tips about local “ICE Sightings” from readers, who largely start the discussion with, “I saw on Facebook …”

A key reason social media claims spread while reliable reporting lags is that ICE has no requirement to alert local police to its operations.

It would be simple to aggregate social media posts, collect unverified reports, and package and publish them as “developing news.” Some neighboring media outlets do exactly that.

If we report on ICE activity in Burke County, it will be because the information is confirmed by responsible, cultivated sources and credentialed officials, or by witnesses whose accounts we have independently verified.

If we cannot verify it, we will not publish it in our news pages.

The Paper relies on readers to keep us informed about developments in Burke County. Your tips help us research and report local news more effectively, and we value that engagement.

When you reach out with a concern, a question, or a tip, we take it seriously. When you call, email, or stop by the office, we follow up. And when you provide details, documents, times, places, or firsthand accounts, you give us something solid to pursue.

That’s what makes local news powerful. It’s not distant. It’s not disconnected. It’s rooted in the lives, worries, hopes, and priorities of the people who live here.

Rumors move faster than facts, especially on social media. In that environment, The Paper and other independent community newspapers have a choice. They can chase the rush of being first, or they can accept the responsibility of being right.

The Paper chooses to be right.