To anyone watching, and especially to those who feel and know in their hearts that what is happening within the Latinx community regarding ICE is profoundly wrong, yet find themselves silent for whatever conflicting reason – please remember that multiple truths can, and often do, exist at one time.

You can love America AND demand better of your country and condemn this president and his policies.

You can be religious AND care for and advocate for people who have a different belief base or no base at all for that matter.

You can have conservative views and values while ALSO having progressive views and values.

You can be unaffected by immigration reform BUT STILL advocate for people who don’t look like, think, or speak like you that are being treated unjustly.

You can believe in secure borders AND advocate for compassionate and ethical treatment of all people, regardless of their immigration status.

You can support law enforcement while simultaneously demanding accountability and reform within the justice system.

You can be Republican and also acknowledge this administration has gone too far and it needs to stop.

One does not cancel out the other. Nor does it make you any more or less American. It makes you a human being with a heart, someone who prioritizes humanity above all else, rather than following any single ideology blindly. This isn’t the American way, and for many, it’s not the Godly way either.

Implored is not the time to look away or stay silent. It’s time to extend empathy and speak up. This is a fight for morality and your voice, no matter the size of your audience, is a vital part of demanding better and upholding the dignity of every individual.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

First and foremost if you have friends and family who are immigrants it’s crucial they know their rights, have a power of attorney, have a plan for their child or children, etc., use this resource to educate your loved ones and share with your community.

Know Your Rights When Interacting with ICE (english)

Know Your Rights When Interacting with ICE (spanish)

MAKE A DIFFERENCE FOR A DETAINEE:

In the event you witness someone being detained by ICE, you can help by:

1. Stay calm and record the encounter. Do your best to get a clear view of the person/s being detained.
2. Focus on the officers and ask the officers for their name and badge number and what agency they are with.
3. If you don’t know them – ask the person being detained their name and birthday. Ask if they have family or a lawyer you can contact for them
4. REMIND THEM OUT LOUD NOT ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS, TO ASK FOR A LAWYER AND NOT TO SIGN ANYTHING.
5. Send the video to the organization immigo and they can help them.

Huge thank you to @karenlosanchez on IG for posting a reel on this.

WHAT TO DO IF A LOVED ONE IS DETAINED BY ICE:

1. Stay calm and gather information: ask for their A-number(A#). Ice will provide it to them upon request. If you don’t have this information contact your local ERO ICE office for assistance.
2. Confirm their detention. Use ICE Detainee Locator: www.locator.ice.gov you’ll need their full name, country of birth and A#
3. Advise them to protect their rights:
   • DON’T SIGN ANYTHING -instruct them not to sign deportation or voluntary departure forms without consulting a lawyer
   • EXERCISE THE RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT – they can refuse to answer questions about their immigration status without a lawyer present
   • REQUEST LEGAL HELP – they have the right to a lawyer (thouogh the gov does not provide one)
4. Contact legal help: According to the National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC), the immigration court system doesn’t guarantee you a free lawyer if you cannot afford one. Below is a list of resources who can help:
   • NIJC 773-672-6599 or 312-583-9721
   • MIDA Free legal services through NIJC partner organizations: immigrantjustice.org
   • ICIRR Attorney Referral List: icirr.org/resources
   • Find a private attorney via AILA: ailalawyer.com
5. Communication & Visits: ICE has information for the detention centers it uses on its websites: ice.gov/detention-facilities. Once you locate your loved one, you may contact the detention facility to plan a call/visit. Call the facility for information on how to send them money if they need funds to purchase basic necessities or food at the detention center.

Resource: @belladonala on IG

IMMIGRATION RESOURCES

Please share these resources with your community and your loved ones who are undocumented.

IMMIGRANT LEGAL RESOURCE CENTER – This is a great resource to use as an immigrant to learn about their rights and seek representation. As well as a reputable organization to donate to and find community resources.

ILRC Red Card Request Form or https://www.redcardorders.com All people in the United States, regardless of immigration status, have certain rights and protections under the U.S. Constitution. The ILRC’s red cards give examples of how people can exercise these rights.

National Immigration Legal Services Directory – use this website to search for immigration legal services providers by state, county, or detention facility. Only nonprofit organizations that provide free or low-cost immigration legal services are included in this directory.

Raices in Texas – offers legal and social services as well as rights advocacy and refugee client services.

Spreadsheet of Immigration Resources/Recursos Migratoria – created by @yuri_angelica on TikTok, she is updating as she goes.

Idaho Resources & Organizations

Poder Of Idaho

Idaho Immigrant Resource Alliance – provide relief and resources to our Latinx, Immigrant, and Indigenous communities in Idaho. Last year they had the 2024 JJ Saldaña Heat and Smoke Relief Fund where they raised funds to help provide relief for farmer workers who where subject to working the 3 digit and smoke filled heat. That fundraiser has closed, However they are taking donations and have other call to actions and petitions you can complete today.

American Civil Liberties Union Idaho (ACLU) – Sign up for community action emails, alerts, events and ways to engage and keep your families informed and safe. You can also report a civil violation, donate and sign up to volunteer here.

WILNER & O’REILLY IMMIGRATION LAWYERS – Idaho Immigration specialists.

WAYS TO SUPPORT

Ways to support other than protesting that cost you nothing.

1. Teach others their rights, so the people around you are fully equipped to protect themselves.
2. Don’t be silent, use your social media to share educational and actionable information. Share your story or the story of your parents, family and friends to help humanize immigrants.
3. Get educated and educate the people around you about immigration because it’s not about America vs immigrants and immigrants are not criminals.
4. Protest with your wallet. Do not support brands or shop at businesses who do not support immigrants.
5. Volunteer your time to organizations in your city and state. For example:
   • volunteer at legal clinics to help translate, fill out paper work or help with any administrative support.
   • volunteer a citizenship classes.
   • volunteer to manage SM of Immigration nonprofits.
   • For us Idahoans: https://www.poderofidaho.org/volunteer and https://secure.everyaction.com/SAs5LywzFkSJga9UMuY2YA
6. Call & Write your Representatives https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative or https://www.congress.gov/members/find-your-member
   • Use this Script: Hi, my name is ____YOUR NAME_______ and I’m calling from __CITY & ZIP CODE__. I don’t need a response. I am calling in regards to ___ISSUE/BILL/LAW_______. I want to encourage ___REP’S NAME___ to ___OPPOSE/SUPPORT___this _____ISSUE/BILL/LAW__. Thank you!
   • TIP: don’t elaborate be concise. They are only tallying up “for or against”.
   • TIP: be polite. The people answering the calls are just doing their jobs. Please treat them with respect

HOW TO SUPPORT MONETARILY

1. All the organizations listed under resources listed above accept donations. Please make sure you’re donating to a reputable organization.
2. Reach out to local immigration attorneys to donate. There are plenty of cases that arn’t able to proceed because of the client not being able to pay for court immigration fees. Shout out to my daughter Kayla for suggesting this. If you’re looking for an Idaho immigration law office to donate to – Wilner & O’Rilley is a great one, also suggested by Kayla.
3. Find influencers like @vickythefitchick who’s put together a gofund me page to help support undocumented families. Any amount goes a long way: https://www.gofundme.com/f/hjjcwm-support-families-affected-by-ice-raids
4. Go out of your way to support latinx brands and business who support and rally for the latinx and all marginalized communities.
5. Pull over and purchase a bouquet of flowers, bag of oranges, or whatever they’re selling. I keep $20 bills in my wallet specifically for this and I don’t care if I run late to my appointment I always bust a U-ey for my bouquet. There are even times I haven’t had enough and I’ve given them what I have just to help them.
6. TIP them well. Every time I go to the car wash, which consist of 90% Mexican/Latinx employees who are washing, drying and cleaning my vehicle. I made sure to tip them well, every time I get my car washed.

Please share this resource, I will continue to update it as I find more resources and actionable information.

Remember, be loud for those who can’t.

Con Amor,

Jennifer Puente