HOUGHTON – Recently, stories have run rampant that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents have come to Houghton and were refused reservations at a local hotel. People on social media have been active in posts such as the following:

“Ice agents are allegedly in Houghton attempting to book rooms. Go out and get a whistle!! If you see them, blow it, take out your cameras document them do not attempt to get in the way at all but definitely let them know your watching and recording them!!! Be safe out there.”

Local sources have confirmed these reports to be mere rumors.

The Houghton City Police said there are no ICE agents in Houghton.

“It started as a small rumor somewhere and look what’s happened,” said a spokesperson with the police department.

An employee with the Ramada Inn, in Hancock confirmed this, saying the reports are complete rumors.

“The police department says there are no ICE agents in Houghton or Hancock,” he said.

The spokesman said he spoke with Country Inn and Suites, who confirmed that thier establishment has not had federal agents request rooms.

“These are just rumors and people being on Facebook too long,” the spokesperson said. “I was expecting it to have blown over by now, but hopefully it will have blown over by the weekend.”