ICE Engagement Protocol for Religious Congregations

ICE ENGAGEMENT PROTOCOL FOR RELIGIOUS CONGREGATIONS

Adapted from: “Law Enforcement Engagement Protocol,” Christ Church United Methodist

Preemptive actions:

ICE can enter public areas open to congregants, such as parking lots, lobbies, and worship halls, without a warrant. However, unless they are given permission, they can only enter private interior spaces, like offices and parsonages, with a judicial warrant signed by a judge. Have nearby spaces that can provide a quick safe haven for immigrants, and safeguard sensitive information that might relate to immigrants, with labeling of this nature: “PRIVATE SPACE Access Limited to Church Personnel.”
Make “red cards” listing immigrants’ rights, along with other information helpful to immigrants, available for those who might need them.
Do not ask people about their immigrant documentation. That information is not necessary in order to be of service to them.
Restrict access to sensitive documents, like sign-in sheets.
Train staff to handle a mental health crises and other situations that might otherwise be handled by law enforcement so law enforcement is not called unless absolutely necessary. Do call the police in a situation involving weapons and/or violence.
Train staff as to how to respond to an ICE raid.
The religious organization should make it clear to its congregation that it is the organization’s role to protect immigrants.
Discuss with the congregation how an ICE raid will be responded to.
Hold education sessions, discussion groups, and workshops for congregants related to immigration and immigrant rights.

If ICE shows up:

Immediately alert the pastor or church administrator if they are not on the scene already and let them handle the situation.
Volunteers should refrain from initiating interactions with ICE.
If possible, have a member of the tech team or another volunteer or two film the interaction.
Only judicial warrants signed by a judge should be accepted as valid warrants. An administrative warrant issued by a federal agency, which is not signed by a judge, should not be accepted as valid.
Do not give any information to ICE agents unless required to do so by a judicial warrant.
If the raid occurs during a service, the congregation should stay together.
If clients are outside, like for a food pickup, and are in their cars during a raid, they should stay in their cars. Again, only judicial warrants should be accepted as valid. Clients on foot should gather together in the shade.
Volunteers should comfort congregants who appear to be afraid.
If drawn to do so, congregants might surround someone who appears to be a target of the raid in an attempt to non-violently prevent their being detained.
If any congregants are detained, later try to get information on them from other congregants so efforts can be made on their behalf.

After an ICE raid: