Activists: ‘You have rights, regardless of immigration status’

Activists provide resources for undocumented immigrants to protect themselves under the Trump administration’s deportation efforts.

Activists: ‘You have rights, regardless of immigration status’

Dr. Seydi Sarr, Adonis Flores, and other community activists at a "Know Your Rights" rally.

Immigration activists held a “Know Your Rights” rally in Detroit last week to remind all immigrants how they can protect themselves if confronted by ICE.

Anxiety is high among immigrant communities in Detroit as President Donald Trump has called for increased deportation efforts across the country.

Some in the city have already been detained.

“I got a report yesterday of someone being deported after playing soccer here in southwest Detroit,” said Detroit City Councilmember Gabriella Santiago-Romero. “He was detained in front of his wife and kids after being here for over 30 years with no criminal record.”

Dr. Seydi Sarr from the African Bureau for Immigration and Social Affairs tells another story of an immigrant, a student whose visa expired in the middle of his school semester.

“On Wednesday, he got picked up because he was two days out of status. Today, as we speak, his lawyer is fighting for him to get bail,” Sarr said. “I didn’t say criminal. I didn’t say he broke any law. I say he was… his status was expiring in the middle of the semester, which happened to a lot of students, and he had to just renew it. Which he has been doing every year.”

These are just a few of the experiences immigrants have been talking about in the days since President Donald Trump signed several executive orders dealing with immigration in his first few days of office.

Know Your Rights Red Cards, available at ilrc.org/red-cards.

President Trump signed the Laken Riley Act earlier this week. The law gives Immigration and Customs Enforcement broad powers to detain and deport migrants who are accused of crimes.

Trump has also signed an executive order to end birthright citizenship and threatened to remove federal funding from sanctuary cities.

And the Trump Administration expanded a policy known as expedited removal, which allows some immigrants to be detained and deported without a court hearing.

In the past, the policy was primarily used to remove undocumented immigrants who had been in the country for less than 14 days. With the expansion of enforcement, immigration officials are authorized to detain any undocumented immigrant who has been in the United States for less than two years.

Ruby Robinson is an attorney with the Michigan Immigrant Rights Center. He advises people to carry some sort of proof with them that they have lived in the U.S. for more than two years. He also advises residents to create a plan of action in advance, in case they are approached by ICE.

“In emergencies we are flustered. We don’t think clearly,” Robinson said.  “If you can take some time in advance and think about what needs to happen to your family, what needs to happen to your children, what are the medications that they’re on? Write this down. Share it with others.”

Robinson says the Constitution provides rights to everyone in the country, regardless of immigration status, when interacting with law enforcement.

He advises undocumented immigrants not to open their doors without proof of a warrant signed by a judge. Robinson says it’s rare that an agent would have one.

“ICE’s focus is civil immigration enforcement. They do not conduct criminal prosecutions. It is exceedingly rare for ICE to have a warrant signed by a judge because they are focused on civil immigration enforcement, not on criminal matters.”

Santiago-Romero says the recent enhanced deportation efforts are hurting widespread parts of Detroit communities.

“People are fearful. Children aren’t going to schools. Businesses are having their employees not show up. Their clientele is not coming to our bars and restaurants. This will impact all of us. Not only are we destroying families, we [are] destroying our community,” Santiago-Romero said.

Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib was also present at the rally and shared similar sentiments.

“For all our immigrant neighbors, I love you. I know you work hard. You are not criminals. You are not rapists. You are not these things they say you are,” Tlaib said.

Know Your Rights

  • You have the right to remain silent and to contact an attorney
  • You have the right to due process and to have your case heard before a judge
  • Do not volunteer ANY information
  • You do not need to provide your immigration status or place of birth
  • Do not show or use any false or fraudulent documentation, including a fake name
  • You do not have any obligation to sign any document without speaking to an attorney
  • Do not sign a document you do not understand
  • Ask to see a warrant before you open the door., should ICE visit your home or place of work

Additional resources

Michigan United will be providing “know your rights” trainings for volunteers across the state. Santiago-Romero also advised residents pick up “Know Your Rights” cards from her office. The red wallet sized card lists immigrant’s constitutional rights, and can be presented to law enforcement if they are detained. These cards can be ordered at ilrc.org/red-cards. Cards are available in multiple languages.

Trusted, accurate, up-to-date.

WDET strives to make our journalism accessible to everyone. As a public media institution, we maintain our journalistic integrity through independent support from readers like you. If you value WDET as your source of news, music and conversation, please make a gift today. Donate today »

Author

  • Bre'Anna Tinsley
    Bre'Anna Tinsley is a reporter for Detroit Public Radio, 101.9 WDET. She covers city government and housing, as well as co-hosting the "Detroit Evening Report" podcast.