In this article, ChicoSol updates its reporting on safety for both immigrants and non-immigrant community members who want to support them. Our original resource guide was published in collaboration with the Chico News & Review and can still be viewed at the link.
Support for immigrant communities
Get involved with NorCal Resist Chico by visiting its Facebook page or attending one of its events. Find the Zoom links on the NorCal Resist page:
- 7 p.m. Feb. 17 on Zoom an Accompaniment & Court Watch training;
- 6:30 p.m. Feb. 24 on Zoom a Migra & Court Watch training.
- Check the NorCal Resist events calendar here.
Self-protection for immigrants
- Non-citizens who have documentation showing legal status should carry their green cards or work permits when they leave the house. Chico immigration attorney Laurie Lane doesn’t advise carrying copies that could be easily altered and therefore not convincing to federal agents.
- Keep documents current, and if needed, obtain an immigration screening with an attorney or accredited representative.
- Don’t report unverified ICE sightings. Instead, if you think federal immigration agents are in the area, call the Rapid Response hotline at 916-382-0256. Note the number of officers present, how they’re dressed and what they’re doing, and the time and date of the sighting.
- Familiarize yourself with your rights in the event that immigration agents come to your door or stop you in a public place. Here are some links that will help: the ACLU makes recommendations here and the American Immigration Lawyers Association here.
Finding legal help
Northern Valley Catholic Social Service (NVCSS) provides an Immigration Legal Services Program that specializes in family-based petitions, naturalization and citizenship and green card and DACA renewals and more. Call the Corning office at 530-824-4039.
Legal Services of Northern California (LSNC)’s Chico office assists with naturalization petitions and can be reached at 530-345-9491.
Pro bono legal services are also listed in our resource guide under “Information and Free Assistance.”
Protesting safely
- Filming police in public is legal in California, and if you are challenged, say aloud, “I am not interfering” from a safe distance;
- Activist and privacy groups recommend steps to protect your mobile phone from ICE surveillance tools on some occasions. Read more here or here.
The National Lawyers Guild publishes a Know Your Rights booklet for protesters here — Leslie Layton.
Listen to the interview NSPR conducted with ChicoSol’s Leslie Layton and the Chico News & Review’s Ken Magri.