In recent weeks, the landscape surrounding immigration in the United States has shifted dramatically, with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) being instructed to escalate deportations significantly. 

In a media briefing on February 7, hosted by Ethnic Media Services, a panel of experts shed light on the implications of this troubling surge and discuss essential rights that immigrants must be aware of in light of these developments.

Speakers

  • Viridiana Carrizales, Founder, ImmSchools
  • Amanda Alvarado-Ford, Deputy Directing Attorney, Immigration Institute of the Bay Area
  • Oscar Sarabia Roman, Staff Attorney with the ACLU Immigrants’ Rights Project
  • Maru Mora-Villalpando, Immigration Activist with the group La Resistencia and CEO of Latino Advocacy

The Current ICE Climate

Over the past three weeks, ICE has faced directives to arrest between 1,200 to 1,500 individuals daily, leading to over 8,000 deportations in a mere two-week span. Most individuals affected hail from South and Central America, but an increasing number of arrests involve immigrants from countries such as India, China, and Russia. Maru Mora-Villalpando emphasized that many of those deported include individuals with credible persecution claims, highlighting the dire realities faced by vulnerable populations.

Know Your Rights

As fear permeates immigrant communities, Amanda Alvarado-Ford encourages immigrants to understand their rights. The message she underscored was one of empowerment rather than panic—assuring undocumented individuals that they are entitled to constitutional protections. This includes the right to remain silent and protection against unlawful searches and seizures.

Alvarado-Ford shared that when ICE officials arrive at a workplace or home, individuals need to be aware of the protocols they can follow. She emphasized that immigrants should always ask for identification and warrant details, reminding them that unless ICE has a judicial warrant, they may not enter a residence or workplace. In this crucial moment, knowing what to say—and what not to say—can mean the difference between deportation and the ability to legally navigate through the system.

Children’s Rights in Schools

Viridiana Carrizales spoke about the unique rights of students in educational environments. Schools must recognize that undocumented students have rights and that immigration agents can only enter school premises under specific legal circumstances. Carrizales advised that faculty and administrative staff should be equipped to handle ICE situations, calling for the involvement of legal counsel who can interpret documentation presented by immigration agents.

Moreover, she underscored the detrimental effects of misinformation that can arise from ICE’s presence in schools. Correctly informing communities helps alleviate panics that can harm students’ mental health and their educational experiences. Carrizales highlighted the need for schools to establish protocols and facilitate clear communication with students and families, ensuring that fear doesn’t take root where it belongs—the educational space.

Pushback Against Deportation Policies

Oscar Sarabia Roman discussed the critical role that civil rights organizations play in advocating for immigrant populations under threat. The ACLU and similar entities are actively filing lawsuits challenging the administration’s deportation directives, which Roman explained are often unjust and result in the wrongful detention of individuals, including U.S. citizens.

Roman pointed out that ICE operates under the guise of federal law enforcement, but local officials are not obligated to cooperate. This creates a challenging dynamic as immigrant communities may feel hunted by federal authorities while lacking the support that should ideally come from local law enforcement. 

He noted that ICE’s tactics could lead to harassment and wrongful detentions, including individuals without criminal backgrounds or legal permanent residents being subjected to deportation proceedings based on outdated accusations.

The Realities of Detention Centers

Maru Mora-Villalpando addressed the troubling conditions in immigrant detention centers, emphasizing the experiences of individuals subjected to inhumane living environments. She stated that detainees often face overcrowding, lack of hygiene, and insufficient mental health support, leading to a climate marked by anxiety and stress. Mora-Villalpando highlighted that the current administration’s emphasis on mass deportation has exacerbated these issues, as detainees who may have valid claims to stay are instead held indefinitely in deplorable conditions.

Mora-Villalpando has championed the rights of detainees, actively participating in hunger strikes to draw attention to these conditions. She reminded the audience that many individuals caught in these systems are people of color and those who have historically been marginalized, which adds another layer of complexity to the discussion about immigration rights and protections.

As the U.S. grapples with shifting immigration policies and the increased presence of ICE in communities, understanding rights becomes imperative for immigrant populations.

It is crucial for immigrants to remain calm yet informed, recognizing their rights and the resources available to them. The fight against unjust deportations continues to require community solidarity and advocacy, making it essential for individuals to stand together.

The dedicated efforts of activists, attorneys, and community members highlight a resilient resolve to push back against oppressive immigration practices and champion the rights of the vulnerable.

Amidst fear and uncertainty, immigrants are encouraged to hold onto their dignity and knowledge as they navigate through the evolving landscape of U.S. immigration, ensuring that they are more than just statistics in a system that may frankly, wish otherwise.

 

Images provided by EMS.