Be good neighbors to our immigrant friends

We were heartened this week by a story out of Nashville about neighbors in that city’s suburbs coming together to shield an undocumented immigrant and his son from federal agents attempting to circumvent their due process.

It’s a tale that underscores the importance of being educated about the scope and power of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE), particularly in light of President Trump announcing last month via Twitter that the federal government was going to escalate deportations. He insisted the new efforts would result in the removal of “millions.”

The latest spree targeted 2,000 families believed to lack the proper documentation. As of Tuesday (July 23), ICE announced, 35 people had been arrested nationwide and about half of them were collateral arrests (meaning people who weren’t targeted).

Closer to home, a Sacramento college student, part of that city’s population of Dreamers, was recently arrested and is being held in Yuba County Jail (see “Dreamer detained,” page 11). The facility was the site of a protest on July 12 (see “Against detention,” News pic, July 18).

That aforementioned heads-up from the president triggered immediate action from civil rights and advocacy groups, which launched campaigns to not only educate immigrants but also the communities in which they live. That appears to be what happened in the Nashville community that successfully thwarted the agency.

According to reports, neighbors and activists—along with attorneys and local leaders—showed up to protect the man and his son, whom ICE agents had ordered to exit their locked vehicle. The activists bought gas for the van, so they could keep the air-conditioning running, and assured them that they should not consent to the officers. Meanwhile, local law enforcement that showed up did not interfere with or aid the federal agents but rather stayed to keep the peace.

The ICE officers did not have a warrant, and thus had no authority to take the father and son into custody, though witnesses allege they lied and said they did have the right. Eventually they gave up and left.

Our advice to both immigrants and their communities: Check out the tools and recommendations of organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union and National Immigration Law Center. As the ACLU notes, “When the government has the power to deny legal rights and due process to one vulnerable group, everyone’s rights are at risk.” Hear, hear.