Increasing Immigration Enforcement – Know Your Rights
Jessilyn Averill
Federal immigration agency no longer recognizing sensitive areas of protection such as schools, churches, hospitals, or even shelters when targeting someone/families about their documented immigration status. Those who are unhoused are already vulnerable – identification and other vital documents can be hard to physically hold onto while experiencing homelessness.
The National Homelessness Law Center (NHLC) is one of many organizations making sure communities across the country know their rights, particularly for those experiencing homelessness. NHLC co-leads the campaign #HousingNotHandcuffs to end the criminalization of homelessness and advocates for housing as a human right. Since Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is no longer following their previous sensitive areas of protection policy, the campaign has organized a Know Your Rights toolkit for service provider staff supporting people in shelters. For more information on the toolkit contact Jesse Rabinowitz, Campaign and Communications Director with NHLC, at jrabinowitz@homelesslaw.org. Shelter and services providers can email info@homelesslaw.org to report any ICE activity that impacts unhoused people.
Michigan Immigrant Rights Center in Ypsilanti is a local resource to also reach out to if anyone needs more information on knowing their rights and what to do when someone they know is detained. Save their number in your phone: (734) 239-6863.