As social media becomes more popular as a way to spread important information such as news. But social media can also be a place where misinformation is spread quickly.
There have been many intensities where misinformation is spread and causes fear to many people. One of those incidents was Operation Freaky Friday attributed to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. And due to this rumor being spread it caused much fear towards many families and even schools warning their parents to be careful.
“North Chicago School District 187 Superintendent John Price sent an important safety alert’ to parents and community members on Thursday afternoon regarding immigration enforcement activity,” the Lake and McHenry County Scanner posted Oct. 2
Because of the misinformation about the Freaky Friday Operation, many schools sent “safety alerts” to their parents. However, due to this it quickly spread fear through the community because of this. A few days afterwards some people found out the Operation Freaky Friday was just the spread of misinformation.
According to the National Immigration Justice Center, “On Thursday, Oct. 2, a widely circulated email, citing trusted sources, reported a forthcoming ICE operation called ‘Freaky Friday.’ This operation appears to pressure certain vulnerable children in federal care, and possibly some young people who were previously detained, to give up their legal rights and applications for humanitarian protection and to agree to depart the United States.”
Many people mistook this information and made assumptions based on this email. However the moment the email started to go around the Trump administration escalated their enforcement. Causing the people to be more in fear.
“This information is circulating at a time of heightened anxiety within immigrant communities,” the NIJC added. “The Trump administration continues to escalate its enforcement on a near daily basis in Illinois, and is using dehumanizing tactics as a way of spreading panic. It is important for all of us to be well-informed and not create further unnecessary anxiety.”
Due to the increase of ICE enforcement many schools and public places sent out emails letting parents know and more. Because of this miscommunication from an email it caused much fear towards many people.