Pro-immigrant activists work together to keep ICE out of their communities

The rumors that a large immigration operation would occur in Southern California on Sunday alerted pro-immigration groups, who immediately increased their neighborhood community patrols.

This is not a new movement. Patrols were organized many years ago by volunteers of the group Union del Barrio. Recently, the group formed the Community Self-defense Coalition, where more than 50 organizations and groups joined. 

Since President Trump took office, immigration raids have increased significantly and so the number of volunteers willing to defend people and inform them of  their rights. 

Ron Gochez, a member of Union del Barrio, said on Sunday on social media that one of the allied groups spotted about 12 ICE vehicles in a Target parking lot in the City of Alhambra. A few blocks away, another group of ICE agents were trying to enter a residential property. 

Both groups alerted the community with their megaphones and the agents left the area without detentions. 

The coalition’s volunteering usually happens early in the morning, when immigration officers generally conduct the raids. As they are patrolling, if they see immigration officers with their megaphones, they alert the community on the ground and through social media, letting people know where immigration officers are so they stay away from that area. 

Gochez said via Facebook that the easiest way to recognize these immigration agents is to check their vehicles. They are usually large American vehicles like SUVs, painted in dark colors with tinted windows. They tend to park in curbsides painted red or are double parked when they are in locations like South Los Angeles, where there are parking issues.  

Strengthening the community

In order to activate the community, Union del Barrio has organized Zoom meetings in English and Spanish so immigrants and allies know their rights. In one of these meetings 

Adrian Alvarez, another member of Union del Barrio, encouraged immigrants to carry their red “Know your rights” cards at all times and to demand their rights to be respected if they encounter an immigration officer. 

However, he clarified that just because someone shows this card to an immigration officer, it may not mean anything.

“It is most likely that immigration agents won’t respect the immigrant rights despite you showing the red card, but the best thing you can do is resist,” he said. “Don’t incriminate yourself, don’t say anything… exercise your right to remain silent. Don’t sign anything under pressure because more likely you are signing your own deportation.”

For bystanders, Alvarez they shouldn’t violate any law or obstruct any procedure. They should stay at a safe distance and alert people.

“Be a witness, document, alert, go live, and let people know to come out and be a witness,” said Alvarez.

Harder immigration measures

The fight against ICE’s presence in local communities comes as President Donald Trump signs executive  orders and activates initiatives focused on immigration. On Tuesday, Trump announced the creation of a program called Gold Card, which will grant legal residency to immigrants who pay $5 million. Estimated to be ready in two weeks, recipients of the Gold Card  will be required to create jobs.

The same day, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Kristi Noem announced that DHS will fully enforce the Immigration and Nationality Act to track undocumented immigrants. The initiative proposes that all undocumented immigrants older than 14 years old provide fingerprints and home addresses to the federal government. If they refuse to register, they could face fines of up to $5,000 and up to six months in prison.  

DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said President Trump and Secretary Noem have a clear message for immigrants: “If you leave now, you may have the opportunity to return and enjoy our freedom and live the American dream.”