5 Ways You Can Protect Immigrants from ICE

Written By Dean Preston

On June 6, the Trump administration escalated its war on immigrant communities by launching militarized ICE raids in Los Angeles. What started in LA quickly spread across the country. Trump ordered ICE to hit a daily arrest quota of at least 3,000 immigrants per day. By July, the administration had stripped detained immigrants of their right to a bond hearing, making clear that due process would be denied in furtherance of the Trump Administration's agenda. 

We’re witnessing a campaign of mass incarceration and forced disappearances under the pretence of "immigration enforcement.” This isn’t law enforcement, this is state terror. 

These are illegal kidnappings carried out by an agency that was just granted a $100 billion increase, making it the largest federal law enforcement agency. Money was taken from schools, seniors, and families to fund what is effectively Trump’s secret police.

But people are fighting back. From coast to coast, communities are rising in defiance of this regime. Anti-ICE protests have surged, with coordinated actions like No Kings Day in June, and people are putting their bodies in the streets to stop deportations and defend their neighbors.

In San Francisco, we’re holding the line even while many in City Hall remain silent. Protesters are showing up day after day at ICE headquarters, at immigration court, and on the streets. Our organizing networks are activated, and we are making sure that San Francisco's legacy as a Sanctuary City stays true to its roots as a city of immigrants.

1. Support SF-Based Immigrant Defense Organizations

Support frontline groups providing immigrant services and legal support for protesters by donating, joining, or volunteering. If you’ve been on the fence about joining a community organization, now is the time to get involved.

2. Show Up to Protests Where ICE Strikes 

Every Tuesday, San Franciscans are showing up at the immigration courthouse (100 Montgomery) and nearby ICE field office (630 Sansome) to physically lock arms and stand between ICE agents and our immigrant neighbors.

Masked ICE agents have been swooping in on immigrants leaving their scheduled court hearings and placing them under arrest, even though they followed all legal procedures. Brave protestors have been stepping in to block vans, document arrests, and raise the alarm. These actions aren’t symbolic. Demonstrations have shut down courthouses, disrupted ICE operations, and sent the message that our solidarity is stronger than the deportation machine. 

Find out about actions by following:

3. Know Your Rights When it Comes to ICE

ICE relies on fear, confusion, and silence to carry out its illegal raids and detentions. It’s our responsibility to know how to react. Learn your rights so you can intervene without putting yourself or others in more danger. These moments are tense, but if you’re educated you can be in greater control of the situation. Here are some educational resources:

4. Share on Social Media

After being released from ICE detention, Narciso Barranco said,“You are the eyes of our society. Thank you for not closing them.” Without public pressure from the community and the media, he would still be illegally detained. While most of the corporate media ignores the humans behind these raids, we can amplify those voices.

Don’t underestimate the value of using your networks to shift people’s thinking and motivate them to action. Post where ICE agents are operating, stories of impacted families, and action alerts by text, email, comments, bullhorn, window sign, flyer, etc. with everyone you know. 

5. Push SF Leaders To Defend Our Sanctuary City

Mayor Daniel Lurie’s silence is complicity. SFPD has illegally shared data with ICE and ignored when agents have intimidated and injured peaceful protesters. Sanctuary protections are unraveling when local police enable federal crackdowns. Other big city mayors have spoken up or taken action: 

Locally, DSA Supervisor Jackie Fielder has stood strong for immigrants since taking office, and more supervisors are raising their voices. Now it’s time for the Mayor and the full Board to act. Demand they refuse ICE cooperation and defend basic human rights.

The actions above offer ways to get involved at every level, but we need everyone to act. ICE is operating in our city right now. People are being taken, and families are being torn apart. These are our neighbors, immigrants who contribute to the life, culture, and strength of our city, and we’re losing them.

This isn’t the time to wait for tomorrow or the next election. Anything you do today matters, whether it’s sharing a news article with your neighbor or escorting someone leaving immigration court. The systems that seek to control us depend on isolation and silence, but we’re not alone and we’re not powerless -- there is power in solidarity, and the power belongs to the people.

Dean Preston
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