UPDATED: Friday, Aug. 28, 4:25 p.m.: Victoria Police said that the operation to check visas on the streets of Melbourne's city centre had been canceled.
"We understand there has been a high level of community interest and concern which has been taken into consideration when making this decision," the statement said.
The Victorian Government also issued a statement supporting the police's decision to cancel the operation.
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UPDATED: Friday, Aug. 28, 1:12 p.m.:Despite an earlier statement, a Department of Immigration and Border Protection spokesperson clarified to Mashable it "does not and will not stop people at random on the street."
"In this operation, ABF officers will assist partner agencies by conducting background visa checks on individuals who are referred to us," the spokesperson said in an email. "The ABF does not target of the basis of race, religion, or ethnicity."
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This is not a drill. Australian Border Force is leaving the airport and heading to the streets.
If you live in Melbourne, Australia, the Australian Border Force (ABF) will be on city streets on Friday and Saturday evening checking the visas of locals, according to a statement.
In a bizarre media release, the ABF announced it will be joining forces with Victorian Police and transport bodies in Victoria to target the general public.
The operation will focus on people travelling to, from and around the city and will be "targeting everything from anti-social behaviour to outstanding warrants," according the statement.
"ABF officers will be positioned at various locations around the CBD speaking with any individual we cross paths with,” Don Smith, ABF regional commander Victoria, said.
"You need to be aware of the conditions of your visa; if you commit visa fraud you should know it’s only a matter of time before you're caught out."
.@BernardKeane Exclusive vision of the ABF in action in Melbourne pic.twitter.com/74AZRCINdk— Dan Smith (@0DanSmith) August 28, 2015
Wear the whitest get ups this wknd Melbourne. Otherwise you'll be targeted for 'random' visa checks because ABF happens to cross your path.— TR (@teereez) August 28, 2015
This becomes a constitutional question. “@aptronym: So will everyone have to carry around citizenship papers or a birth certificate?”— Mark Colvin (@Colvinius) August 28, 2015