White people: You have a job to do

HelLO, Connecticut

I am not an immigration lawyer, but this list from Reddit contains some good ideas of how to act should you encounter Immigration & Customs Enforcement agents at work. From the list (edited slightly):

This comes from https://www.southernborder.org/100_mile_border_enforcement_zone

🔘 Border Patrol can verify citizenship within 100 miles of a border or "external boundary." This includes coastlines, so that includes all of Connecticut, New York City, Philadelphia, and a big portion of New England.

🔘 Border patrol can only ask brief questions about citizenship. They cannot hold you for an extended time without cause.

🔘 You have the right to remain silent. You do not need to answer their questions.

🔘 But if you are white and a born citizen of the U.S., you need to speak up.

🔘 The most important acts of resistance are the small ones. ICE agents are counting on citizens turning a blind eye and allowing them to deport undocumented citizens without challenge. Disabuse them of that notion.

🔘 If you are on a train, bus, or anything else and ICE or Customs and Border Protection agents board, 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.

🔘 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 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.

🔘 Neither race nor ethnicity alone suffice for either probable cause or reasonable suspicion

🔘 White citizens, you have a level of privilege which protects you. This makes it your duty to speak up and make sure people without the same privilege know their rights. Be loud. Yell in Spanish if you know it. (You have the right to remain silent. You have the right to an attorney is (disculpe, mi espanol is muy malo so I looked it up): “Tienes derecho a permanecer en silencio. Tienes derecho a un abogado.” Throw sands in the gears.

⭐️ 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 or bus gets boarded, 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 video if possible.

🔘 Contact the ACLU or your local immigrant/migrant support organizations if you see someone's rights being violated. Feel free to add your favorite immigrant/support support organization for your area below.