SPOKANE, Wash. — As the Trump Administration works to fulfill its promise to deport millions of immigrants who are in the U.S. illegally, local organizations want to make sure your know your rights.
Over the last few weeks, communities across the country have seen an increase in ICE raids, prompting fear and uncertainty for many.
Spokane Mayor Lisa brown said today, ICE and border patrol don’t tell local police what they’re doing, so the city doesn’t know if immigration arrests have increased within the city limits or not.
Manzanita House, a nonprofit that serves immigrants and refugees in Spokane, said many have reached out to them with worries about the changes in our nation’s immigration policies.
“We hear concerns from people all the time, either coming into our office, calling on the phone, even people who have a pretty sure immigration status are just really nervous about the scope and the pace of these changes,” said Samuel Smith, Director of Immigrant Legal Aid and immigration attorney with Manzanita House.
The organization said it is important to know your rights if stopped by an immigration officer, whether you are an immigrant with or without documentation, a refugee or a U.S.-born citizen.
“You can say, ‘I wish to remain silent,’ or if you have a card that says that in English, you can show that to the individual . You’re not required to share any particular information, including immigration status, which country you were born in or where you live. There’s no compulsion to share any of that information,” Smith said.
Manzanita House also provides red cards that people can use if they are ever stopped by ICE. The cards have English text reading, “I do not wish to speak with you or answer your questions,” highlighting an individual’s 4th and 5th amendment rights. Thrive International, another local non-profit has these cards available as well.
If stopped, a person can give this card to an immigration officer, or read the text.
Smith said it’s important to have a plan if you are detained by ICE.
“It’s important to have a plan and to have a number of a loved one or a friend or an attorney memorized, so when you are able to contact someone, you’re able to call them and let them know what has happened,” he said.
Smith also said, if you are a U.S. citizen, it also doesn’t hurt to carry your passport to prove your citizenship. However, if you are not a U.S. citizen, he said he does not advise carrying your international documents or showing those to agents.
He also suggests recording and reporting any interactions with ICE agents. He suggests you report all interactions with immigration officers to the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network (WAISN).
For more resources, visit manzanitahousespokane.org, latinosenspokane.org or DCYF.
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