About 20 people attended a workshop at Uncle Bob’s Place on March 27 teaching them how to assert and protect their rights if they encounter agents of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the federal agency responsible for prosecuting and deporting people who violate U.S. immigration laws.
As the Trump administration ramps up deportations and ICE raids, service providers in the Chinatown International District (CID) are training property managers and residents on what their rights are and how to protect their immigrant neighbors.
The CID has a high proportion of immigrant residents, who are increasingly at risk under policies from the Trump administration, said JM Wong, an organizer of the trainings, in an email.
“Being a ‘criminal’ under this system, is a subjective and relative designation,” Wong said. “It’s constantly changing depending on the political climate. So today, literally not being read as a U.S. citizen, whatever that means, flags one as a criminal.”
The training on the 27th was the second of its kind offered this month. The first was well-attended by Mandarin and Cantonese-speaking residents of the CID. “We really hope to convey that it is up to people who are in the neighborhood to protect and defend the neighborhood,” said Wong in an email. “We don’t need experts or powers that be. When in crisis, we need neighbors that care for and defend each other. We hope to cultivate that in the CID community.”
The training was co-sponsored by Puget Sound Sage, API Chaya, Massage Parlor Outreach Project, Asian Counseling and Referral Service, and InterIm CDA. Attendees were offered food, pocket-sized cards summarizing their legal rights, and the workshop was offered in Cantonese, Mandarin, Vietnamese, and Spanish translation.
The workshop incorporated materials produced by the Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network, which created a flyer in multiple languages reminding people of their basic rights – whether or not they are U.S. citizens.
What to do if you encounter ICE
First, facilitators warned people to never open their door to ICE if agents show up without a warrant signed by a Washington state or U.S. District Court judge. They should insist an agent slip the warrant under their door so they can inspect it, as well as the agents’ IDs.
A real warrant has a court order at the top, naming a specific court. It also includes the person’s name and address, and the signature of a judge (which may be labelled “judicial officer”) at the bottom. If anything is spelled wrong, it is invalid.
It’s important to check these details because most of the time, ICE agents will lie and claim they have a warrant, or may show an “immigration order” document, facilitators said. This document, might say “Immigration and Customs Enforcement” at the top, instead of the name of a court. But unless the document names a specific court, with the person’s name and address and a judge’s signature, ICE agents do not have the legal right to search your home, though agents may lie, and attempt to frighten people into thinking they must comply.
If ICE officers present a real arrest or search warrant, however, they do have authority to search the house and make arrests. The best thing to do if this happens is to photograph or video-record the enforcement process, making sure to capture the agents’ names and badges. This can be used later as evidence in immigration court.
The workshop facilitators advised people not to answer questions or sign anything without an attorney present, and to verbally state this out loud.
ICE may give employers a notice of planned inspection through an I-9 audit.
If ICE agents come to your workplace, ask for identification and a search warrant, facilitators said. They can enter areas open to the public, but don’t allow them into areas marked “Private” or “Employees Only” without a search warrant.
If ICE agents can’t enter your home, they will likely try to find you in a public place.
When apprehended by police or ICE, ask “Am I under arrest?” If the answer is no, remain silent and calmly leave. Do not answer questions, especially about your immigration status. Do not run when leaving, or they will use probable cause to chase after you.
The workshop also included information about identifying ICE agents and how to warn others about their activity. ICE agents drive only American-made cars such as a Ford or Chevrolet, with dark windows. They usually operate in the mornings, two agents at a time.
If you see ICE activity, facilitators encourage people to inform others, and convey details like how many agents you saw, what they are doing, where they are operating, what they are wearing, what time they are operating, and what equipment they are using.
If you are stopped by police or ICE while driving a car, you must provide police with your driver’s license. However, you can refuse a search of your car if they do not have a warrant. If stopped, do not answer questions about your immigration status.
An exception to these restrictions on police searches is if police see something illegal, such as an open can of alcohol. In this case, they may use probable cause to search your car without a warrant.
Facilitator Qing Yang said it’s important to remember that immigrants were in a precarious situation before Trump’s second term, and have always had limited and inadequate rights in the United States.
Organizers noted that immigrants are standing up for their rights and dignity in demonstrations nationwide.
In Trump’s second term, his administration is already fulfilling his campaign promise to massively expand the machinery of deportation. His administration is enlisting the whole of the federal government in an effort to increase deportations, according to the Migration Policy Institute.
His administration is also pressuring state and local authorities to participate in immigration enforcement previously only conducted by the federal government. It has also directed other federal agencies to get involved in unprecedented ways, including the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).
InterIm CDA pointed out in a newsletter that these actions have caused fear and confusion in immigrant communities, and that service providers should be aware of people’s rights and share accurate information in the months ahead.
The Northwest Immigrant Rights Project has more in-depth guidance and resources available on its website: https://www.nwirp.org/resources/kyr/assets/NWIRP%20Know%20Your%20Rights%202024.pdf
The following resources are from Asian Counseling and Referral Service (ACRS):
Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network (WAISN) Deportation Defense Hotline: 844-724-3737
You can call this hotline if you have an interaction with ICE or see/know someone who is arrested by ICE. They will connect you to resources and keep track of ICE activity.
The hotline is open from 8am – 6pm. Text JOIN to 253-201-2833 for immigration activity across Washington State
Human Rights Commission to report discrimination – 1-800-233-3247
Seattle Office of Civil Rights – 206-263-2446
ACLU’s Know Your Rights in 7 languages: https://www.wehaverights.us/
Department of Public Defense (DPD) in King County 24-hour Hotline – 206-447-8899
CLEAR Hotline – referrals for civil legal needs Outside of King County1-888-201-1014 Mon – Fri, 9:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m. In King County – 211 Mon – Fri. 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
