WHAT TO DO AT AN ICE CHECKPOINT, ESPECIALLY IF YOU’RE A WHITE CITIZEN
(please, please, please copy, paste, and share widely):
-Border Patrol can verify citizenship within 100 miles of a border or “external boundary.” This includes coastlines so NYC is within the 100-mile zone.
-Border patrol can only ask brief questions about citizenship, and they cannot hold you for an extended time without cause.
-You always have the right to remain silent. You do not need to answer their questions.
-***WITH THAT SAID, IF YOU ARE A BORN CITIZEN OF THE UNITED STATES AND ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE WHITE, YOU NEED TO SPEAK THE FUCK UP.***
-The most important acts of resistance are the small ones. Make it difficult and uncomfortable for ICE agents to do their jobs. They are counting on citizens to turn a blind eye and allow them to deport undocumented citizens without challenge. Disabuse of that notion.
-If you are on a train, bus, or anything else and ICE or CBP boards, you need to stand up and loudly let everyone know that they have the right to remain silent or only answer questions in the presence of an attorney, no matter their citizenship or immigration status. There have been numerous reports that confronting the agents in this way has caused them to leave without verifying citizenship. THIS CAN SAVE LIVES.
-If you see anyone being held up by immigration, loudly ask if they are being detained and if they are free to go.
-Immigration officers cannot detain anyone without reasonable suspicion, an agent must have specific facts about you that make it reasonable to believe you are committing or committed, a violation of immigration law or federal law.
If an agent detains you, you can ask for their basis for reasonable suspicion, and they should tell you.
-Always say no to a search and let everyone know that they can and should refuse consent to a search.
-They cannot search or arrest anyone without facts about that make it probable that they are committing, or committed, a violation of immigration law or federal law.
-Silence alone meets neither of these standards. Nor does race or ethnicity alone suffice for either probable cause or reasonable suspicion
-As white citizens, we have a level of privilege which protects us from retaliation from ICE for being “rude” and making a scene, which makes it our DUTY to speak up and make sure people without the same privilege know their rights. GET LOUD. YELL. YELL IN SPANISH IF YOU KNOW IT. LET PEOPLE KNOW THEY DON’T HAVE TO SAY SHIT. MAKE ICE UNCOMFORTABLE. THROW SAND IN THE GEARS OF WHITE SUPREMACY.
BONUS INFO:
-It is perfectly legal to record immigration agents as long as you are not on government property or at a port of entry. If your train/bus gets board, pull your phone out and start videotaping immediately.
-If you are detained or see someone getting detained, get the agent’s name, number, and any other identifying information. Get it on tape.
-Contact the ACLU if you see someone’s rights being violated.
This alone is reason enough for me to start studying Spanish again
I literally just went over how to say the basics of this in Spanish to see if I could. It’s probably not perfect, but it should get the point across.
Given the recent announcement by the current 45 admin, this needs to make the rounds again.
SPANISH PHRASES FOR DOCUMENTED ALLIES
Ustedes tienen el derecho de guardar silencio. = You all have the right to remain silent. (Replace “Ustedes tienen…” with just “Tienes…” if speaking to just one person.)
Ustedes no tienen que decirle nada. = You folks don’t have to tell them anything. (As with previous bullet, omit “Ustedes…” and say “No tienes…” if speaking to just one person.)
These next three can be useful when directed at ICE agents, any accosted people, or both; using your own judgment and understanding of the context, consider saying them in both Spanish and English so everyone knows what’s happening.
¿Es esto una detención? = Is this a detainment?
Eso es ilegal. = That is illegal.
Voy a llamar a la ACLU. = I am going to call the ACLU. (In Spanish, “ACLU” is pronounced “ah seh eh-leh ooh” but if you say it in English people will probably know what you mean.)
Feel free to add other useful phrases for allies learning Spanish as a second language.
