Knowledge is power amid fear and uncertainty, a Lawrence immigration advocate says.
President Donald Trump has promised in his second term to deport undocumented immigrants and others en masse. He signed a relevant executive order on Monday, his first day back in office, compounding the already existing worry for security among immigrant communities.
“I think a lot of what this is is fear mongering, and unfortunately, a lot of what this administration does is try to say, ‘Look at this chaos I’m trying to create. Only focus on this,’ while doing other things that completely upend our rights – not only for folks who have varying statuses, but for everyone in this country,” said Mariel Ferreiro, of Sanctuary Alliance in Lawrence.
Lawrence, although a sanctuary city, is restricted by state law. Kansas’ House Bill 2717 bars local units of government from adopting any ordinance or policy that would interfere with law enforcement cooperation in immigration enforcement actions.
In compliance, the Lawrence City Commission voted in 2022 to edit language in the sanctuary city ordinance passed in 2020, pulling back some protections. The ordinance, however, does reinforce that the city respects and observes the Fourth Amendment right to protect people from unreasonable searches and seizures.
In the wake of alarming news and potential Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sightings surfacing across social media this week, Ferreiro and her “small but mighty” team at Sanctuary Alliance are taking action.
“We’re going to be thrown through a lot of tumultuous times, so what we can do is have clarity of what is right now,” Ferreiro said. “And really, for me, it’s like, I’m not pouring fuel on that dumpster fire. I’m focusing on keeping my community safe.”
Ferreiro said Sanctuary Alliance has received several messages from people concerned for themselves and their families but also from people concerned for their community. Those who may be directly affected by Trump’s plans should understand the rights they possess.
Know your rights and how to help
The National Immigrant Justice Center offers recommendations for encountering ICE and has sample administrative and judicial warrants to review on its website.
• If an ICE agent shows up at your door, the NIJC says, “Do not open the door.”
“Teach your children not to open the door,” according to the NIJC. “Officers must have a warrant signed by a judge to enter your home. ICE ‘warrants’ are not signed by judges; they are ICE forms signed by ICE officers and they do not grant authority to enter a home without consent of the occupant(s).”
• ICE agents must identify themselves and provide the correct documents.
Folks who may be undocumented have the right to remain silent during traffic stops and are not required to discuss their immigration or citizenship statuses with any officials. Video recording while out in public is completely legal.
“There are proceedings that federal immigration enforcement has to follow,” Ferreiro said. “They have to have a warrant for somebody. That warrant has to have their correct name. It has to have an address. They cannot just pick people off the street.”
The NIJC has created more recommendations around pressing concerns.
• For instance: Seek a legal consultation from an attorney or accredited representative.
Kansas Holistic Defenders in Lawrence can help connect its clients to immigration services.
People can search an online database through the Immigration Advocates Network to find nonprofit legal services near them.
• It’s important to have an emergency plan in place. Coordinate with emergency contacts ahead of time and memorize their phone numbers.
Personal documents should be kept in a safe place — and somewhere that your emergency contact can access them. The NIJC says to gather documents that show the length of time one has lived in the U.S. and that “the most recent two years are most important.”
NIJC also says to be wary of online scams trying to take advantage of people in vulnerable positions.
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• For those interested in advocacy, if something you witness sticks out to you, speak up — and make a record.
“What I’ve tried to tell people is, if they see something, you know, you’re absolutely allowed to record it, to log things and to step up and be a support to somebody,” Ferreiro said.
NIJC warns not to post or repost unverified information online.
Next steps and more resources
Ferreiro said Sanctuary Alliance is currently working on plans for training sessions in Lawrence and other ways to participate in advocacy.
New Frontiers, a group out of Kansas youth-led organization Loud Light, is hosting a virtual discussion about defending immigrant neighbors at 6 to 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26 via Zoom. Register for free via secure.everyaction.com.
Kansas City-based advocacy organizations that Sanctuary Alliance works closely with include Advocates for Immigrant Rights and Reconciliation and Kansas Missouri Dream Alliance. Ferreiro said she recommends both as local resources.
Find additional information and resources on the NIJC’s website, immigrantjustice.org, and the American Liberties Civil Union’s webpage for immigrant rights, aclu.org/issues/immigrants-rights.
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Maya Hodison (she/her), equity reporter, can be reached at mhodison@lawrencekstimes.com. Read more of her work for the Times here. Check out her staff bio here.