Check out Signs of Solidarity Projects — Indivisible Nevada County This is a project of Indivisible Nevada County in coordination with other Indivisible groups around the country. They are looking for volunteers to put up these posters.
NorCal Resist has many programs and training opportunities. Check their calendar to find out more, including Migra Watch trainings for “Observers” who can report possible ICE presence or activity in your community. Observers use the free phone app. “Signal” to report/send video back to the NorCal folks who then decide what steps to take: 1-916-382-0256.
If you witness ICE activity in the Sacramento area (including Nevada County) please call the Sacramento Rapid Response Hotline: (916) 382-0256. We are creating a local Rapid Response group on Signal that will coordinate with Sacramento.
If someone is looking for a detained loved one, they can use the ICE Locator, a government website where, by entering the person’s full name, date of birth, and country of origin, they can find out which detention center they are in.
American Immigration Council: americanimmigrationcouncil.org, Provides informative weekly updates on legislation, news, and other activities affecting immigrants.
Immigrant Legal Resource Center | ILRCIncludes legal toolkits and much more. Working with and educating immigrants, community organizations, and the legal sector to help build a democratic society that values diversity and the rights of all people.
Northern California ACLU Local Rapid Response Hotlines
The following are hotline numbers for local rapid response networks. These numbers are meant for EMERGENCIES ONLY to report ICE activity and enforcement actions.
Sacramento Rapid Response Network(Sacramento, Yolo, Placer, El Dorado, Nevada, Yuba, Sutter, Colusa, Butte and rural areas North without a local hotline): 916-382-0256
Additional Resources from Northern California ACLU:
Stand Together Contra Costa, This is a website that is a model of a community network of organizations working together. Some of the cooperating organizations are listed at the bottom.
Santa Cruz Welcoming Network, a volunteer network committed to welcoming and supporting asylum seekers in our community. [For anyone interested, it’s a great and replicable model.]
For legal support, select RESOURCES then LEGAL AID and you’ll be able to access documents on their google drive. The guide is in English and Spanish. (Tip: avoid Alexander Lubarsky, Community Legal Centers).
Legal Services Northern California: Serving populations with special vulnerabilities (this list includes limited English-speakers and immigrant populations.)
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:
All involved parties should debrief and a detailed report should be compiled.
