Shoshone-Bannock tribal leaders and local law enforcement officials are working to address rumors circulating on social media about Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity in Southeast Idaho.

The Fort Hall Business Council issued a statement on Saturday after social media posts showed U.S. Homeland Security Investigations officers in Idaho Falls, which the council said “may cause concern among our tribal members and families.”

However, tribal officials emphasized that HSI falls under ICE and maintains a field office in Idaho Falls responsible for immigration enforcement in the region.

“With a Field Office in Idaho Falls responsible for immigration enforcement in the region, this sighting should be expected,” the tribes’ statement said.

The Fort Hall Business Council said there have been no confirmed ICE enforcement activities on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation at this time, though officials are monitoring the situation locally and nationally.

The Pocatello Police Department, Bannock County Sheriff’s Office and Idaho State Police say they have received no confirmed reports that ICE is active in Southeast Idaho. There has also been no communication from ICE that it is conducting operations in the region, local law enforcement officials said.

There have been frequent rumors about ICE activity in Southeast Idaho in recent months including cases in which local police were mistaken for ICE agents.

Out of an abundance of caution, the tribes are encouraging members to carry their tribal ID and, if possible, keep a photo of it on their phone. Other forms of identification such as a state ID, driver’s license or passport may also be helpful, tribal officials said.

If approached by an ICE agent, the tribes advised members to remain calm and respectful, present identification, follow the agent’s instructions, ask for the agent’s name, and report the encounter via the Fort Hall Police Department’s non-emergency line at 208-238-4000. If possible, tribal members should record such encounters, the tribes said.

“Our presence on this land is enduring,” the tribal statement said. “The Fort Hall Indian Reservation is home to our people. The Fort Hall Business Council stands firmly with our tribal members and is committed to protecting their safety, rights and sovereignty.”