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Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) visited the home of a Springfield alderman Thursday night amid what appears to be increased enforcement against illegal immigrants.

Alderman Clay Sneed, who lives on Kinneys Road, rents out space in his house along with his other rental properties in the city. He was out on a call for his security company when ICE visited house between 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. on Thursday.

The presence of ICE and rumors of their presence have been circulating through the city since allegations about the hiring of illegal immigrants at Electrolux Home Products emerged earlier this month.

Electrolux, who employs more than 3000 people to manufacture electric and gas ranges, initiated a mass firing soon after with television news reports estimating 170 people being fired last week.

The company has since released a statement that a system – called E-verify -- to check the authenticity of documents provided by potential employees. According to the Department of Homeland Security website, E-verify is “an Internet-based system operated by the Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security Administration that allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment eligibility of their newly hired employees.”

In addition to the firings, a number of Hispanics are preparing should they need to leave the county. Sneed, a notary public, has helped approximately 30 people in recent weeks prepare their paperwork.

“They’re going home,” Sneed said. “I don’t see anything wrong with helping these people leave the country.”