Rumors of Hispanic roundup not true

Widespread rumors that immigration officials were in the area Monday picking up illegal Hispanics is not true, the federal government says.

According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesman Temple Black, no one has been picked up in Warren or DeKalb counties.

?There has been no roundup and I would know about it if there was,? said Black. ?There is nothing special going on in your area.?

The Standard was flooded with calls Monday of a supposed Hispanic roundup. Callers told of Hispanics being picked up at area nurseries and even at Wal-Mart.

However, those rumors appear unfounded. A local nursery where 40 Hispanics were said to have been taken was contacted Tuesday by the Standard. The newspaper was told no workers had been taken.

A reported protest Monday on Court Square never materialized.

McMinnville Police Capt. Bryan Denton and Warren County Sheriff Jackie Matheny said they were not contacted by any officials from immigration. Denton heard some of the same rumors and even sent two officers to keep an eye on the reported protest.