SARATOGA SPRINGS -The Spa City's tourism season is back and so too are Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents.

This week, ICE confirmed the arrest of two people in the city, but spokesman Khaalid Walls did not identify the people or provide any information about the arrests. ICE said its deportation officers do not conduct sweeps or raids that target aliens indiscriminately.

However, members of the Saratoga Immigration Coalition are concerned that ICE is targeting people “who pose no threat to security and who in fact make valuable contributions to the local community," said the coalition’s coordinator, Terrence Diggory.

People who look like immigrants have been stopped, questioned and released by ICE, and "the possibility that racial profiling is involved in ICE agents' choice of who gets stopped and questioned raises serious human rights concerns," Diggory said.

"ICE's enforcement actions are targeted and lead-driven,” said Walls. “ICE conducts targeted immigration enforcement in compliance with federal law and agency policy."

Last year in Saratoga Springs, ICE arrested 36 Mexican and Guatemalan men, many of whom worked in restaurants. ICE said the men’s visas were expired. Arrests ran from May to November with a break during the Saratoga Race Course meet.

Diana Barnes, a Skidmore College professor who teaches U.S.-Mexico border studies, said “There is a lot of trepidation and weariness" at the track where many of the backstretch workers are immigrants.

"They are scared to death because there is racial profiling going on," Barnes said. "A worker was stopped in front of Starbucks and asked for ID. Another was stopped driving. When he showed him a California license he was asked for a second ID. They didn't need a second ID"

Commissioner of Public Safety Peter Martin, a City Council member who oversees the police department, said he is aware that ICE is operating in the city but knows of no racial profiling.

"Honestly, I don't know how they are conducting their operation," Martin said. "But I do want every law enforcement agency operating in the city to observe constitutional restraint and not violate anyone's civil liberties."

As part its law enforcement in Saratoga Springs, ICE contacts city police, Lt. Robert Jillson said.

"It's a courtesy," Jillson said. "It's important to be aware that they are in town because when we get a kidnapping call, like we did last year, we know who is involved."

Walls said, "During targeted enforcement operations, ICE officers frequently encounter additional suspects who may be in the United States in violation of federal immigration laws. Those persons will be evaluated on a case by case basis and, when appropriate, arrested by ICE."

Diggory, who is also on the welcoming committee of the Presbyterian-New England Congregational Church, said that the church is prepared to offer an immigrant family sanctuary.

"The church remains open to offering sanctuary if it may aid the individual in obtaining a stay of removal or some other form of administrative relief from immigration authorities," Diggory said.