ICE Raids: How to Protect Yourself and How to Push Back

Fox 32 Chicago

As many of you may know...

ICE has been practicing cruel and unlawful arrests and deportations of documented and undocumented immigrants across the nation, including our beloved city of Chicago, whose culture and atmosphere has been undeniably shaped by our strong and vibrant Latino community, a community that is being very heavily targeted.

This is not necessarily a recent problem, but it has certainly come into the spotlight in recent months as Trump's anti-immigrant rhetoric has rippled through the nation. ICE officers have taken to arresting law-abiding immigrants outside of courthouses during immigration hearings; people seeking legal status in this country are being forcefully removed from a country they sought a better life for themselves in (Learn more here). Regardless of immigration status, whether a person is seeking to be documented or is remaining undocumented, it does not give a racist government organization, under the order of a fascistic tyrant, to tear apart innocent families: lover from lover, parent from child, or child from the only home they ever knew, unaware they came from somewhere else.

They hide under the guise of "kicking out the bad guys", but as shown by the article from the link above, there are plenty of immigrants who are not "bad guys", but simply people who are trying to live a happy life. Regardless of mistakes you have or have not made, they do not truly care what you have done or how you have changed, only that you look different, speak different, or believe different from the powers that be, and that is a direct threat to the power they hold.

But we do not have to be complicit. Below, I will provide resources and information regarding the rights of all people when interacting with an ICE or police officer and what we can do to support our communities during ICE Raids.

But first, what does it mean to be undocumented?

Essentially, it means to reside within a country, in our case the United States of America, without valid legal status. Most undocumented immigrants once entered "legally" but have obtained undocumented status by way of overstaying a once valid visa. It is important to understand the difference between "illegal" and "undocumented" immigrants. "Illegal", as a term to describe someone, is not only dehumanizing, but inaccurate as well. Being undocumented is not a criminal offense, but a civil one. It holds the same legal weight as jaywalking-- would you like to be taken away from your home and placed in a detention center for jaywalking? Probably not.

What can we do to protect ourselves and others when interacting with ICE?

The most important thing when interacting with an ICE officer, and law enforcement in general is to KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!!!

To put it very simply you have:

• The right to remain silent

• Protection from unlawful entry

  • Officers cannot enter your home without a warrant: if they hand you a warrant, please read carefully to ensure they have the right address, there is a judge's signature, and other essential details

  • If you are stopped on the street, while driving, etc., you have the right to refuse consent to search

• If you are detained, you have the right to legal counsel

• You have the right to report any discrimination you may face in an encounter with a law enforcement officer

  • If you experience discrimination, keep a detailed account and report it!

This is a very simplified list, and there is a myriad of circumstances you could face when encountering an ICE officer.

For more information on specific circumstances, please visit the resources below:

• Comprehensive Know Your Rights Guide Against ICE Raids (This is where the list shown above is sourced from)

• Know Your Rights, Share Your Rights: Immigrants' Rights

• IMMIGRATION ARRESTS & RAIDS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW TO PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS

Remember, when interacting with an ICE officer, it is important to stay calm despite the distressing situation. They will use any excuse to antagonize you; keep your hands visible, a calm tone of voice, and comply when necessary for your own safety. It may be useful to keep a card on you to inform you of your rights, as you may forget under the stress of the event. With this knowledge, it is important to educate those who may not be aware of their rights. Please share these resources and others you may find directly to those who may benefit from them, or on social media for a wider dissemination of information.

What can we do to support our community and push back against these unjust ICE raids?

• We can donate to and support organizations that uplift immigrants and provide social services to them and their communities

  • For a list of community resources in Illinois that provide help to various immigrant communities, click on this link: Community Resources

  • For more direct action, check out some GoFundMe's!

  • Remember, every little bit counts. If you are not able to provide financial support, sharing links to fundraisers and organizations is important too!

  • If you have the ability, see if you can volunteer or provide mutual aid to help communities in need

• We can contact representatives

  • Admittedly, it is hard to work within a system that is set up to benefit those in power, including our representatives

  • I personally still think this can be effective, at the very least, high volumes of calls or emails will be annoying, disruptive. Your voice will be heard by someone.

  • For contact information of Illinois representatives, visit this link

• Attend a protest

  • If you are in a position to do so without endangering yourself or a loved one, one of the most effective ways to make your voice heard is to take to the streets and protest

  • We have seen on the news how widespread they have become; it is impossible to ignore

  • On June 14th across the nation, including in Chicago, the "No Kings" protest will occur

  • If you plan on attending a protest, PLEASE BE SAFE! It is not my intention to put anyone in harm's way. Only attend if you have adequate protection and you believe you will not be targeted for immigration status, identity, etc.

  • Peaceful protests can become violent, and that is not necessarily the fault of the protesters. Law enforcement will be quick to escalate the situation, in which you may be put in danger

  • For protest safety guides and necessary equipment, please click here

Final Thoughts:

I will not lie; this is a very dark and uncertain time we are living through. It is easy to feel powerless in the face of such injustice we witness in our world, as we watch the rights and lives of our fellow human beings be ripped away not just here in the United States but across the world as well. The rise of the Alt-Right, of racism, of xenophobia, of transphobia, of bigotry, is palpable-- like a disease spreading its way through the cells of humanity-- but as humans, it is our job to speak up where we can. Every word, every cent, every share towards empathy for those whose experiences may not be the same as ours is an act against injustice. I implore any reader of this blog to speak out in any way you can. Share a post on Instagram, talk to your friends and family, if you are a part of UIC Radio, please use this platform to share resources or updates! I'm sure there is information I missed, and I ask you to fill in my gaps, and let all of our voices be heard! In the end, we only have each other, and with each other we can grow and heal.