As the debate over immigration continues to rage in the United States, the impact of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids on local communities cannot be ignored. Recently, ICE has increased its presence in major cities like Charlotte, NC and Chicago, IL, causing fear and uncertainty among immigrant communities. In the face of these raids, it is important for community organizers to come together and take action to protect their neighbors. We spoke with organizers on the ground in these two cities to learn more about what to do when ICE invades your town.

In Charlotte, NC, the Latin American Coalition (LAC) has been at the forefront of advocating for immigrant rights and providing resources for the community. We spoke with Jose Hernandez-Paris, the Executive Director of LAC, about the organization’s response to ICE raids in the city.

“Our first priority is to educate the community about their rights and provide them with resources to protect themselves,” Hernandez-Paris said. “We have been conducting Know Your Rights workshops and distributing ‘red cards’ that outline an individual’s rights when confronted by ICE. We want people to know that they have the right to remain silent and not open their doors without a warrant.”

In addition to educating the community, LAC has also been working closely with local law enforcement to ensure that they are not collaborating with ICE. “We have a strong relationship with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and we have been advocating for them to adopt policies that limit their cooperation with ICE,” Hernandez-Paris explained. “We want our community to feel safe and not fear deportation when seeking help from law enforcement.”

LAC has also been organizing rallies and protests to bring attention to the issue and put pressure on local and state officials to take action. “We want our voices to be heard and for our elected officials to stand up for our immigrant communities,” Hernandez-Paris said. “We will not stay silent while our neighbors are being targeted and torn apart from their families.”

In Chicago, IL, the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR) has been leading the fight against ICE raids. We spoke with Fred Tsao, Senior Policy Counsel at ICIRR, about their strategies for protecting the community.

“Similar to LAC, we have been conducting Know Your Rights trainings and providing resources for individuals to protect themselves,” Tsao said. “But we have also been working on a larger scale by advocating for policies that limit ICE’s reach in our city and state.”

One of ICIRR’s major victories was the passage of the Illinois TRUST Act, which limits local law enforcement’s cooperation with ICE and prohibits them from detaining individuals solely based on their immigration status. “This was a huge win for our community and we are continuing to push for similar policies in other cities and states,” Tsao said.

ICIRR has also been working with faith-based organizations and other community groups to provide sanctuary for individuals facing deportation. “We believe in the power of community and standing together to protect our most vulnerable members,” Tsao explained. “We have seen the impact of sanctuary in keeping families together and we will continue to provide support for those in need.”

Both LAC and ICIRR stressed the importance of community involvement and support in the fight against ICE raids. “We need everyone to come together and stand in solidarity with our immigrant communities,” Hernandez-Paris emphasized. “We cannot do this alone and we need the support of our allies to make a real difference.”

Tsao echoed this sentiment, stating, “We need to show ICE that our communities are strong and united. We will not back down in the face of their intimidation and fear tactics.”

In conclusion, the key to protecting your town from ICE raids is education, advocacy, and community support. By knowing your rights, standing up for policies that protect immigrants, and coming together as a community, we can make a difference and show that we will not be divided by fear. As Hernandez-Paris said, “We are all in this together and we will continue to fight for the rights and dignity of all immigrants.”