Melt ICE Training: Protecting our Neighbors
In the past year, especially since the recent siege in Minnesota, many New Rochelle residents have asked what can be done to help protect neighbors and the community from ICE. On March 7, Indivisible New Rochelle, Mamaroneck and Larchmont (INR/LMI) held a training session to help answer that question.
Community members have heard countless stories of local residents who are afraid to go out of their houses to buy food, or even to send their children to school. Martin Sanchez painted an eloquent picture in his recent NRN opinion piece, an Open Letter to City Officials: Our Community is Frightened.
Roughly 60 community members attended the training held at the Thomas Paine Memorial Building. They listened to local activists, and learned core “Know Your Rights” principles including the right to document law enforcement, and how to prepare for increased “enforcement” activity. Speakers reviewed a case study describing the community network and activities in the Riverdale-Kingsbridge neighborhood. Attendees learned how to support the immigrant community and make our communities more resilient to a possible ICE surge.
A critical point included the importance of verifying information about possible ICE sightings before sharing it. To date, New Rochelle has been visited by ICE at least four times, and 11 residents have been detained. In addition to ICE agents, communities are sometimes visited by other federal agencies and bounty hunters, and sharing misinformation spreads unnecessary panic. City Council Member Shane Osinloye recommended emailing the Police Commissioner (Nreynolds@newrochelleny.gov) or the City Manager (Wmelende@newrochelleny.gov/ to confirm what is happening before posting anything on social media. He suggests copying the Mayor’s Office (mayorsoffice@newrochelleny.com) and your City Council Member as well. (https://www.newrochelleny.gov/directory.aspx?did=32)
Speakers emphasized the importance of understanding the difference between a judicial and administrative warrant, and ensuring that employers have clearly marked “private” spaces to protect employees. While ICE agents may enter public spaces such as restaurants without a warrant, they may not enter clearly marked private spaces such as offices or kitchens.
Speakers also emphasized the need for community members to carry identification, but suggest that they carry a copy rather than originals which could be taken or damaged. They also recommend carrying a lawyer’s phone number. They stressed that folks write down family members’ and lawyer’s numbers and put them in a safe place, because often detainees’ phones are confiscated. They strongly recommended that American- born children have passports, and families at risk should have a documented plan for legal guardianship for their children.
Organizers stressed that that people could support their immigrant neighbors in many ways, depending on theiryour circumstances and capacity. Options range from making calls and sending post cards from theiryour homes, to teaching local businesses how to prepare for ICE visits; or participating in a local rapid response team when ICE is on the move.
Indivisible welcomes volunteers for every level of activity. In New Rochelle, contact indnewrochelle.community@gmail.com, and in Larchmont/Mamaroneck reach out to lmindivisible@gmail.com.
