Activist Groups Across Multiple States Work to Educate Undocumented Immigrants

January 23, 2025 TruthUSA

The organizations are conducting forums and distributing Know Your Rights materials to undocumented immigrants.

Various national and local organizations across multiple states are organizing forums and supplying resources and informational materials to undocumented immigrants to equip them in case they come into contact with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

Advocacy groups for the undocumented in states like New York, Chicago, New Jersey, and California have initiated webinars and in-person forums, and are actively sharing Know Your Rights flyers to aid undocumented immigrants in understanding the new policies introduced during the Trump administration.

On his initial day in office, President Donald Trump enacted several executive actions concerning border security and illegal immigration, which included measures facilitating increased deportations.

In one of these orders, Trump declared a national emergency at the southern border, claiming that “America’s sovereignty is under attack.”

The order stated that the surge in illegal immigration over the preceding four years “has resulted in the horrific and unforgivable murders of many innocent American citizens, including women and children, at the hands of illegal aliens.”

The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) produced a flyer to be distributed and made it available on its website on January 22.

“All individuals residing in the United States, including undocumented immigrants, are entitled to certain U.S. Constitutional rights,” the flyer states. “If you are undocumented and immigration (ICE) agents come to your door, remember that you have the following rights.”

The flyer also informs undocumented immigrants that they are not required to open the door or allow agents entry unless they possess a search warrant signed by a judge.

Moreover, the flyer indicates that undocumented immigrants have the right to remain silent and can present agents with a Know Your Rights card, which expresses their desire to remain silent and request a lawyer.

“President Trump is undermining America with detrimental policies that impact immigrants, communities nationwide, the economy, and our international reputation,” AILA Executive Director Ben Johnson stated in a press release on January 20.

Trump has consistently prioritized combating illegal immigration over legal immigration.

His border czar, Tom Homan, mentioned on January 21 that U.S. immigration officials have already commenced deportations, focusing on undocumented immigrants deemed a threat to public safety.

Another national organization, Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), released a statement on January 21 regarding the “raids anticipated” in communities with undocumented immigrants across the country.

“Our families, neighbors, and friends are facing the looming threat of immigration raids that tear loved ones apart and instill fear in our communities,” stated Gustavo Torres, CASA’s executive director.

Torres emphasized that the organization has formed a coalition consisting of faith organizations, businesses, donors, elected officials, community groups, educators, and attorneys, all prepared to take action.

“We mobilize to ensure proactive measures. That’s why CASA has trained thousands in Know Your Rights sessions, family preparedness planning, and bystander intervention courses,” Torres explained.

In California, the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) has conducted over 150 Know Your Rights workshops in community hubs, schools, churches, and businesses, “engaging with immigrant families and allies concerned about their rights and methods to prepare,” said Jorge-Mario Cabrera, CHIRLA’s director of Communications, who communicated via email to The Epoch Times.

“Our initiative is titled ‘Prepare to Stay’ because even amidst concern, our community refuses to succumb to fear as they have committed no wrongdoing,” Cabrera remarked.

Cabrera highlighted that immigrants have historically contributed positively to the United States. “It is unjust for the Trump Administration to unfairly vilify and persecute immigrants in such a broad manner,” he stated.

He made no distinction between legal immigrants, whom Trump has often claimed benefit America, and those who are undocumented.

“All illegal immigration will be immediately terminated,” Trump declared at the Capitol shortly after being sworn in on Monday. “We will initiate the process of deporting millions of criminal aliens back to their countries.”

Cabrera noted that CASA is urging the community to approach each day with care, advising families to formulate action plans, which include saving funds for an attorney and arranging childcare in the event a parent is detained or deported.

Activist organizations in New York, New Jersey, Chicago, and beyond are also working to educate undocumented immigrants.

The New Jersey Alliance for Immigrant Justice launched its “New Arrivals Network” to deliver Know Your Rights resources, training, and materials to the top 20 municipalities in the state with a significant undocumented population.

In Chicago, Instituto del Progreso Latino announced via social media that it is planning a webinar aimed at helping immigrants, advocates, and allies understand vital rights and protections under U.S. immigration law, potential forthcoming changes, and preparatory actions.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson also shared the Know Your Rights flyer on the city’s official website, outlining the steps to take if a loved one is taken into custody.

In New York, city council members are collaborating with the New York Legal Assistance Group Foundation for a forum scheduled on February 6, which will focus “on the rights and protections for immigrants in New York City.” The event will, according to the announcement, cover federal and local immigration regulations and expectations under the new administration, along with resources available from the city.

ICE did not respond to The Epoch Times’ request for comment.

Source link