Action 230: ICE isn’t out, yet!
Background: So you think it can’t happen here, or can’t happen to you, or someone you care about?
A few weeks ago, a young US citizen on her way home to Brooksville (where she has lived since birth) was detained for 24 hours in Atlanta. There was no reason given. Her mother is from the Philippines, but her father is a descendant of one of the original European settlers of Brooksville. arriving in the 1760s and living here ever since, generation after generation. She was on a business trip, and had a set of specialized tools with her. She eventually got her tools back, but ICE did not return all the clothing that was in her suitcase. This hits too close to home! You may know of similar cases!
Action: The Maine Democratic Party has published an advisory which appeared in the Washington County party email newsletter. I have edited the contents and present it below in Q and A form. The links are in blue, and should work if you share it online. Or, it prints out on two pages, double sided is best. You could print it out, and discuss with your local Dem committee. Maybe there are some actions you as a group decide to undertake. Resist!
To fill the rest of this page: the following sign also came from the Washington County Democrats’ email. Just about every Republican friend I have has un-enrolled by now. Share freely.
ICE Out!
From the Maine Democratic Party – “As we continue to monitor ICE activity across the state, we know how important it is to find ways to support our communities. Included in this email is vetted guidance and a comprehensive list of resources that you can use and distribute amongst your networks. Please know that this crisis is top of mind for all of us at MDP and we will continue to share updates and additional resources as they become available.”Q. What information should I share on social media?
A. Please do not share information that will cause needless fear for immigrant communities at this already-stressful time. As always, only share verified, accurate information. ILAP, the ACLU of Maine, and the Refugee and Human Rights Clinic at the University of Maine School of Law have put together this resource if you are looking for accurate Know Your Rights and other materials to share with your networks: https://www.aclumaine.org/preparingforice/
Q. What rights do immigrants have?
A. All people in the United States, regardless of immigration status, have certain rights and protections under the U.S. Constitution. These include:
· The right not to open the door to your home to ICE, unless the agent has a signed judicial warrant.
· The right to ask an ICE officer, "Am I free to leave?"
· The right not to answer an immigration officer’s questions and to tell an immigration officer, "I choose not to say anything."
Importantly, even if someone exercises their rights, ICE may ignore them and still detain them. If ICE tries to detain someone, they should do their best to stay calm and not run away or resist arrest. Learn more: https://www.aclumaine.org/preparingforice
Q. What do I do if I see immigration enforcement officers?
A. Some or all of the following:
· Complete this form if you believe an immigration officer has violated someone’s rights. It links to ACLU legal assistance.
· Make sure you know your rights regarding filming an ICE arrest or encounter: Filming Immigration Enforcement in the U.S. Use visuals and photos and amplify on social media and the press. However, please be cautious about sharing photos of people’s faces without consent and take other steps necessary to protect each other. Remember that just being an innocent bystander can result in being profiled and indiscriminately targeted.
· Report what you’ve seen to Maine’s ICE Watch Hotline at 207-544-9989.
Try to remember the SALUTE acronym when reporting:
S: Size (How many agents?)
A: Actions (What are they doing?)
L: Location and direction
U: Uniform or clothing
T: Time and date
E: Equipment, including vehicles and license plates
Q. How do I make sure my business, school, or place of worship is prepared for ICE enforcement?
A. Learn more here: https://www.aclumaine.org/know-your-rights/service-providers/
Here are some questions relating to detained persons in your community:
Q. What if my loved one is detained?
A. Know Your Rights: What to Do if You or a Loved One is Detained.
Q. How can I find my detained loved one?
A. Track detained person’s location.
Q. What if my loved one is detained at Cumberland County Jail (ME), Two Bridges Regional Jail (ME), or Strafford County Correctional Facility (NH)?
A. Complete this form.
Q. What if my loved one is detained at Plymouth County Correctional Facility (MA) or Wyatt Detention Facility (RI)?
A. Complete this form.
Q. How can I or someone I know who is detained obtain financial help (bail, bond, commissary, etc.)?
A. Visit the Maine Immigrant Resource Hub.
Q. How can we encourage Maine businesses not to serve or welcome ICE agents?
A. Talk to them. Encourage them not to serve ICE agents, and to post signs of solidarity with immigrant communities in business windows. Know Your Rights (KYR) materials can be posted in public places and left at businesses and other locations with permission. Take care not to draw particular attention to places where noncitizens might be.
Q. Where can we obtain KYR materials?
A. Many are available free, for download.
Maine ICE Watch Hotline multilingual small flyers, large poster, small poster
Red Cards here (Note: community organizers should print cards themselves or use a local print shop)
Q. What else can we do?
A. Organize donations to the Maine Solidarity Fund: https://www.mainesolidarity.org/ and check out the Maine Home for All Campaign https://ilapmaine.org/home-for-all