In the midst of a mounting nationwide crackdown on immigration, both legal and illegal, San Antonio-area residents have been using social media to report unconfirmed sightings of federal immigration officials conducting operations within the city and surrounding areas.

Some of those reports allege that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are now carrying out “door-to-door” sweeps in San Antonio-area neighborhoods.

ALSO READ: What to do if ICE approaches you in Texas, according to immigration experts

Are federal immigration officials carrying out “door-to-door” checks? Here’s what we know.

Reports alleging ‘door-to-door’ ICE activity

“WEST SIDE SAN ANTON,” one update shared through Instagram said. The report urged viewers to “spread the word,” saying that agents were spotted in the 78253 ZIP code on San Antonio’s West Side.

“ICE SPOTTED IN MY COUSIN’S NEIGHBORHOOD, THEY’RE TAKING PEOPLE DOOR TO DOOR.”

Another report stated that ICE activity was “very hot” on the city’s West Side.

“ICE pulled someone out of their house on Poplar and Zarzamora,” the report said. “They are very hot in the area, they are going door to door please be careful and stay inside.”

In the New Braunfels area, one Friday morning post claimed ICE officials were also “going door to door” in the area: “They stopped at my home,” the update said. “6 officers forced entry. Went through every one of my rooms. Demanded proof of citizenship.”

Local law enforcement

As of Friday, the Express-News is aware of two local law enforcement agencies that are operating under official 287 (g) “Task Force Model” agreements, including the Balcones Heights Police Department and the Bexar County Constable in Precinct 3.

According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, these agreements serve “as a force multiplier for law enforcement agencies to enforce limited immigration authority with ICE oversight during their routine police duties.”

The Express-News reached out to both law enforcement agencies, as well as the San Antonio Police Department and the Bexar County Sheriff’s Office, in an attempt to learn whether federal immigration officials were indeed conducting “door-to-door” sweeps in San Antonio neighborhoods.

An SAPD representative stated the department “is not aware of ICE going door to door” to conduct operations within the city and surrounding areas, while BCSO stated they “have not received information and therefore cannot confirm.”

The Bexar County Constable in Precinct 3 did not immediately respond.

Balcones Heights Mayor Johnny Rodriguez released a statement to the Express-News confirming local authorities were working with ICE officials, although he did not clarify whether officials were conducting door-to-door sweeps:

“The Mayor and City Council set the goals and objectives for the City of Balcones Heights. It is then the responsibility of the City Administrator and the Chief of Police to operationalize those goals through professional judgement and day-to-day management.

“Our goal is clear and unchanged: to make Balcones Heights the safest suburban city in Bexar County. The decision to enter a 287 (g) agreement authorized by Congress since 1996 was made by our professional leadership as an operational tool to advance that goal. This was not a political statement, but a judgement call by those responsible for public safety. We respect that chain of responsibility and place our trust in our professionals to act lawfully, effectively, and in the best interest of our residents.”

Federal law enforcement

In a statement from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, a representative told the Express-News that the agency was “not aware of this alleged immigration enforcement action” from ICE officials in San Antonio.

ICE did not immediately respond to the Express-News’ request for comment on whether agents were conducting “door-to-door” sweeps in the city.

Aside from these alleged neighborhood sweeps, there have been multiple confirmed reports of immigration officials carrying out enforcement operations in San Antonio – including on individuals with no criminal record who were attempting to attain legal status within the system.

Is door-to-door ICE enforcement allowed?

While ICE officials may be allowed to knock on your door, their authority is legally limited when it comes to residences. According to immigration experts, they cannot enter your home unless:

They receive clear consent from someone within the residence.

There is a genuine emergency, such as a life-threatening situation, in which case ICE officials may enter the residence without permission.

If federal immigration officials come to your door, there are several steps you can take to protect yourself.

Do not open the door, and instruct any children residing within the home to also refrain from opening the door for anyone.

Ask agents to present a judicial warrant signed by a judge by sliding it through the door or showing it through the window.

If ICE agents enter your residence anyway, remain calm. You may choose to assert your Fifth Amendment rights by saying “I choose to remain silent” and asking for a lawyer.

Austin American-Statesman contributed to this report

This article originally published at Is ICE going door to door in San Antonio? Here’s what we know..