A widespread rumor that Wal-Mart is allowing immigration officials to conduct raids in its stores reached New York City, stirring fear and alarm among Mexican immigrants.

A Wal-Mart spokesperson finally refuted the rumor this week through national and international media outlets. The rumor created profound anxiety for immigrants in the area, who contacted various news media to ask if the rumor was true or just a prank, or perhaps a manifestation of the growing intolerance currently experienced by immigrants throughout the country.

A call for alarm

Oscar Rojas, a well-known radio personality on La Poderosa, AM 1380, said that Mexican listeners in the tri-state area had been calling the station to see if the rumor of Wal-Mart and immigration authorities was true and if they were acting in concert.

"People were calling to ask, many were afraid because they had received text messages on their cell phones and also on social networking sites," said Rojas, who received such a warning on his own cell phone.

Likewise, Mexican organizations in the tri-state area said that people had also contacted them to confirm whether the mega chain store was indeed collaborating with authorities to arrest undocumented individuals.

"We were certainly keeping up to date on the issue, but we told many people we couldn't assume the rumor was true until there was proof that demonstrated it was happening," said Esteban Sampablo, an adviser and manager at the Institute for Mexicans Abroad in New Haven, Connecticut.