Chicago New Sanctuary Coalition

07/24/2017

Anna, a 20 year old from Guatemala, and her family, presented themselves at the Mexico-U.S. border at the end of last year, seeking political asylum. Border Patrol agents separated Anna from her family and are holding her at Eloy Detention Center in Arizona while the rest of her family was allowed t...

06/22/2017

"No me quiero morir aquí" - Wilmer, 6/17/17

Wilmer y Celene han estado luchando por su liberación desde que Wilmer fue detenido violentamente en Marzo. Wilmer esta parcialmente paralizado y los guardias adentro del centro de detención lo han estado lastimando a propósito. Recientemente se callo y su salud se a puesto en peor condición. Por favor ayúdanos demandar su liberación.

05/11/2017

Mario’s brother arrived in the US one year earlier, in 1988. What a difference a year made. While Mario didn’t have the money for an attorney and tried to get help from a notario, his brother received help from an immigration attorney and was able to successfully apply for asylum. Now Mario’s brothe...

02/14/2017

Hi everyone!

Another friendly reminder that the CNSC has merged with CRLN - Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America's Immigration Program.

But please take a moment to check out this resources from DRUM - Desis Rising Up & Moving to make sure we're being responsible in sharing information about raids in the future.

And as many people are asking-- yes, congregations are a "sensitive location" as classified in a 2011 ICE memo, but that DOES NOT mean that ICE cannot or will not enter churches. Our congregations and communities are only as safe as we organize them to be.

-- CRLN

A brief guide for sharing reports on raids on social media responsibly and communicating in a way that supports our communities to best protect themselves.

PDF Version: http://bit.ly/2l5cnuF

*This is a work-in-progress document. Feedback is welcomed.


A Brief Guide for Sharing Reports of Raids on Social Media (Version 1.0 – 2/13/2017)

CONTEXT
Immigration raids are happening across the country. It is important to responsibly report and share verified information so that we can be organized and help communities best protect themselves. Misinformation are harmful to communities, amplify fear and strain limited resources.

Common Types of Law Enforcement Activity (And how long such activity usually lasts)
● Police Activity: Local police regularly engage in abusive policing which can put immigrants at risk of
detentions and deportations (Usually ongoing)
Checkpoints or Stops: Regular police, ICE, CBP, or DHS asking for immigration papers or targeting immigrants on roads, transit points, outside of schools, etc. (May last for many hours)
● Immigration Arrests: When ICE/CBP/DHS is searching for a particular individual at their home or workplace; They can and will arrest other immigrants they encounter in the same area (Often lasts less than an hour)
● Immigration Raids: ICE/CBP/DHS officers swarming a neighborhood, workplace, event or public space and arresting large numbers of immigrants (May last couple of hours)

If you witness an immigration raid, arrest or related activity:
1. Take a picture or a video (not the people being targeted) while ensuring your safety and safety of others around you.
2. Take note exact date, time & location
3. Take note of the type of law enforcement
agency, vehicles and activities.
4. Share on social media with the above details

If it is not a first-hand report :
1. Do not share it publicly on social media if it is not verified (i.e. not from someone who witnessed it)
2. Reach out directly to organizations or in area who are trained to go out, document and verify the report
3. If you know directly affected people in the area, notify them to be aware of the possibility of ICE/CBP/DHS/police in the area. Clarify that the report is unverified. Be prepared to provide emotional support.
4. If you see others sharing unverified reports, refer them to these guidelines.

If a report is verified:
1. Prioritize notifying directly affected people you who know in that area. Be prepared to provide emotional support.
2. Connect people to organizations that they can join for community-based defense.
3. Notify Legal Aid Society hotline: 844-955- 3425
4. Share appropriate Know Your Rights materials

How to support verification efforts:
1. Directly share them so people know the original source of reports to trace, confirm, correct, or retract; and to minimize those intentionally spreading misinformation.
2. Do not screenshot other people’s reports
3. Do not copy and paste reports

What are dangers of unverified reporting?
1. Trust is broken between affected communities, organizations and well-intentioned bystanders.
2. People’s existing fears and traumas are further amplified. This results in further isolation of
marginalized communities and prevent clear, rational thinking.
3. Spreads fear and paranoia in targeted communities, without offering any actual safety: People stop
going to work, sending their children to school, or leaving their homes.
4. Rather than having an organized and discipline anti-raids response, we end up not being able to
allocate resources towards having an effective community defense.

ICE = Immigration & Customs Enforcement
CBP = Customs & Border Patrol
DHS = Department of Homeland Security

02/09/2017

Hi everyone! Join CRLN and OCAD for a sanctuary training on Feb. 18th from 11-12:30pm at St. Turibius. Register at: https://goo.gl/forms/Os5z1ffBI1502Jip1

Part of OCAD's defense & resistance workshop series// Parte de la serie de taller de defensa & resistencia de OCAD: https://www.facebook.com/events/1706460682978116/ +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ What: Join OCAD (Organized Communities Against Deportati...

12/22/2016

Hi everyone: Please note that the Chicago New Sanctuary Coalition and the CRLN - Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America have merged. To stay up to date with CRLN's Immigration Program and sanctuary organizing please like our page!

Bendiciones,
The CRLN Team

01/28/2016

Local faith leaders, members of the Chicago Religious Leadership Network on Latin America (CRLN) and its "Immigrant Welcoming Congregations," Red de Oracion, and other faith-based organizations delivered today an open letter to Director Ricardo Wong, containing over one hundred signatures from faith leaders of multiple faiths and denominations, stressing the role and responsibility of local office in providing “protection, not persecution.”

Before delivering the letter along with other faith leaders, Senior Minister of Lake Street Church in Evanston, Steve Van Kuiken said, “Immigrant families deserve our compassion and care. Instead, many of these families—fathers, mothers and children—face raids by Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE). Instead, many of these families are terrorized by armed men in uniforms trying to barge into their homes. The women, men and children—each one of them created in the precious image of God—who seek safety and security in our country deserve our protection, not prosecution! Our faith calls us to respect the human dignity of these families and to provide them the refuge that they need”.

01/27/2016

Tomorrow at 10 AM, we'll be at ICE (101 W. Congress) delivering a faith leader letter to the Chicago ICE Field Office Director, Ricardo Wong. We're asking him and his offices to use their power of discretion to NOT implement raids in areas under his jurisdiction. Join us!

Mañana a las 10 AM estaremos en ICE (101 W. Congress) entregando una carta a Ricardo Wong, el Director Regional de ICE en Chicago, pidiendole a el y sus oficinas usar su poder de discreción para NO implementar redadas en Chicago y otras areas bajo su jurisdicción. Unetenos!

Tomorrow at 10 AM, we'll be at ICE (101 W. Congress) delivering a faith leader letter to the Chicago ICE Field Office Director, Ricardo Wong. We're asking him and his offices to use their power of discretion to NOT implement raids in areas under his jurisdiction. Join us!

Mañana a las 10 AM estaremos en ICE (101 W. Congress) entregando una carta a Ricardo Wong, el Director Regional de ICE en Chicago, pidiendole a el y sus oficinas usar su poder de discreción para NO implementar redadas en Chicago y otras areas bajo su jurisdicción. Unetenos!

01/13/2016

Our take on last night's

Last month, two days before many celebrated Christmas, the Washington Post published an article leaking the Obama Administration’s plan to start 2016 with immigration raids targeting Central American families who had previously been ordered deported. With these raids as the backdrop to last night’s…

01/09/2016

[Español Abajo]

Rain or shine, if ICE is out in the streets the people are too! Thank you Organized Communities Against Deportationsfor organizing this and a shoutout to the folks from the Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation, a CRLN Immigrant Welcoming Congregation (IWC), who came out and door knocked today to let Albany Park residents know of the Know Your Rights training OCAD will be offering next Saturday at Centro Autonomo (3460 W. Lawrence) from 11-2 PM. Spread the word!

And if Saturday doesn't work, remember CRLN's also having a training Sunday, January 17 at Central Baptist Spanish Church, also an IWC, (4401 W. Irving Park Rd) at 2:30 PM!

Want your congregation to be involved in similar efforts? Send us an email at [email protected]!

Sol o lluvia, si ICE esta en las calles el pueblo tambien! Gracias a OCAD por organizar este evento y tambien a miembros de la Jewish Reconstructionist Congregation, una Congregacion que Da la Bienvenida al Inmigrante (IWC), por salir y tocar puertas hoy para informar a residentes sobre el taller de derechos que OCAD ofrecera el proximo Sabado en el Centro Autonomo (3460 W. Lawrence) de 11-2 PM. Avisale a otros!

Y si el Sabado no puedes, CRLN ofrecera una taller Domingo, Enero 17 en Central Baptist Spanish Church (4401 W. Irving Park Rd),tambien una IWC, a las 2:30 PM!

01/07/2016

Antes las redadas, no te dejes! Toma pasos para aprender tus derechos y para mantenerte a ti y tu comunidad organizada y segura! A travez de Chicago habrán varios talleres. Aqui dos.

Sabado, Enero 16 en Albany Park. Taller de Derechos de OCAD, con clinica legal: https://www.facebook.com/events/519381051555442/

Domingo, Enero 17: Taller de la CRLN en Central Baptist Central Church (4401 W. Irving Park Rd), 2:30 PM.

Para reportar una redada/To report a raid: 1-855-435-7693

Fight back against the raids. Take steps to learn your rights and to keep you and your community safe! Across Chicago, various trainings will be offered. Here's two.

Saturday, January 16 in Albany Park. OCAD "Know Your Rights" training w/ Legal Clinic: https://www.facebook.com/events/519381051555442/

Sunday, January 17: CRLN Training at Central Baptist Spanish Church (4401 W. Irving Park Rd), 2:30 PM

Antes las redadas, no te dejes! Toma pasos para aprender tus derechos y para mantenerte a ti y tu comunidad organizada y segura! A travez de Chicago habrán varios talleres. Aqui dos.

Sabado, Enero 16 en Albany Park. Taller de Derechos de OCAD, con clinica legal: https://www.facebook.com/events/519381051555442/

Domingo, Enero 17: Taller de la CRLN en Central Baptist Central Church (4401 W. Irving Park Rd), 2:30 PM.

Para reportar una redada/To report a raid: 1-855-435-7693

Fight back against the raids. Take steps to learn your rights and to keep you and your community safe! Across Chicago, various trainings will be offered. Here's two.

Saturday, January 16 in Albany Park. OCAD "Know Your Rights" training w/ Legal Clinic: https://www.facebook.com/events/519381051555442/

Sunday, January 17: CRLN Training at Central Baptist Spanish Church (4401 W. Irving Park Rd), 2:30 PM

01/03/2016

Ahora que DHS a empezado las redadas, aprende como involucrarte en la lucha contras las deportaciones! Domingo, Enero 17 ven a Central Baptist Spanish Church y aprende de la defensa en contra de las deportaciones!

El taller sera completamente en español!

01/03/2016

"When Trump is taking credit for your immigration policy, you know you’re doing it wrong. They took away children so young they would’ve needed car seats in their vehicles for them," Executive Director of GLAHR after start of immigration raids in Georgia.

Stop the raids, relief now! Please sign and share the petition!

I just signed a petition to Jeh Johnson, Homeland Security Secretary and President Barack Obama: The targets of immigration agents' raids are people who have fled violence, been subjected to civil rights violations, and seek to make the US their home. We ask you to stop the terror of raiding people'…

11/30/2015

If you can't make it to today's phone bank, you can still participate by using the sample script below.

Make a call today! This is very important since Manuel is set to be deported tomorrow!!! SHARE AND CALL!!

11/26/2015

Tonight many will come together to enjoy meals and the company of loved ones but 110 men in 3 different detention centers will be on hunger strike demanding to be released from immigration detention.

Will you leave a place at the table for tonight? Sign and share this petition in support of the hunger strikers and send a message to ICE asking for their immediate release from detention.

--via Reyna Wences, Not1More

100 people, three facilities, up to two years in detention.

11/20/2015

This morning, one year after the President's immigration annoucements & the start of ICE's PEP program encouraging police/ICE collaboration, the Department of Justice filed a request to the Supreme Court for review of the 5th Circuit Court's decision to withold relief. If the Supreme Court takes the case, the earliest we can expect to receive a decision is June 2016.

For immigrants in danger of deportation NOW, that's too much wait. Here are 5 things the President can do now to defend immigrant communities & that don't require waiting on the Supreme Court.

Attending tomorrow's March to ICE to denounce ICE's tactics and push back against the criminalization of immigrant communities is 1 thing you can do. https://www.facebook.com/events/411024965764019/

Now that the DOJ has filed its appeal with the Supreme Court, 5 steps the President can take immediately on immigration.

Read more here: http://www.notonemoredeportation.com/2015/11/10/5-things/

11/17/2015

Push back againt hate! Sign this petition denouncing Governor Rauner's fearmongering and calling on Mayor Rahm Emanuel to keep Chicago's doors open to Syrian refugees!

And don't forget to turn out this Saturday for the march to ICE. One year after the annoucement of the executive actions, relief has yet to come, immigrants continue to be hyper-criminalized and capegoated, and ICE continues to tear our communities apart. If ICE is in the streets, so must we!

https://www.facebook.com/events/411024965764019/

I just signed a petition to Rahm Emanuel, Mayor: Do not allow Governor Rauner's fearmongering to impact Chicago. Pledge to maintain a welcoming city and stay open to refugees from Syria and anywhere people are fleeing for safety.

11/11/2015

After 461 days, Rosa Imelda Robles Loreto will leave the sanctuary of a South Tucson church Wednesday, following a deal struck with immigration officials that lifts the thread of immediate deportation. Robles Loreto said she was looking forward to returning home with her family.

11/09/2015

Check out this blog, outlining the various different ways ICE has been irresponsible and inconsistent in Manuel Roman's case. And if you haven't yet, don't forget to sign and share the petition. Please also continue to drive calls into ICE. We can't let them get away with this!
"To date, the series of responses from ICE regarding Manuel are inconsistent and inaccurate. Manuel’s case is a perfect example of the inconsistencies and lack of transparency within ICE and the lack of understanding and implementation of their own guidelines for priority as outlined in the November 20, 2014 Memorandum by ICE. All appeals and correspondence illustrate that Manuel does not fall under any of the three priorities outlined and should not be deported and separated from his loving family."

The only thing immigration authorities know is that they want to deport Manuel Roman. They just can’t explain why.

11/06/2015

URGENT: Right now, Manuel Roman is on a plane to the border. ICE is transferring him to New Mexico as a last step before it deports him. There's still time to fight!

Everyone please call (202-447-3867) ICE headquarters in DC TODAY and to leave a message for ICE director, Sarah Saldaña. Every call matters.

Script below.

"I would like to leave a message for Director Saldaña. I'm calling in support of Manuel Roman, A # 206-274-132, the loving father of two US citizen children. I'm aware that Mr. Roman has one misdemeanor for simple possession but according to DHS's own guidelines he should not be considered "priority" for deportation. Mr. Roman's case has garnered public attention and the interest of Congressman Luis Gutierrez and Senator Dick Durbin, who are looking more closely into the case. I urge to your prosecutorial discretion to stop Manuel's deportation. Thank you."

Don't forget to sign the petition for updates: http://www.notonemoredeportation.com/portfolio/manuelroman/

Ten years ago, Manuel was convicted of a misdemeanor possession charge. On Friday, he could be deported away from his family and two children. Please sign the petition.

11/05/2015

URGENT: Manuel Roman has been fighting his deportation from within detention for a year. ICE wants to deport him tomorrow, even though he is NOT a priority for deportation under their own guidelines. Stand up for this family, fight back. Make your call TODAY.

We need your help today! Please, call ICE and leave a message for Ricardo Wong, Field Office Director, tell him to stop Manuel's deportation.

10/19/2015

Calls needed NOW! Tomorrow, the U.S. Senate will vote on mean-spirited legislation that would punish Chicago, Cook County, and many other jurisdictions around the country where police refuse to act as immigration agents. We believe communities should be able to trust local police and that everyone should feel safe dialing 911.

This is our last chance to convince Senator Kirk to vote NO on this bill! Call Senator Kirk’s office at 202-224-2854 and tell him to protect public safety by voting NO on S. 2146.

08/29/2015

When people are shouting “white power” at his rallies and Trump is endorsed by the Daily Stormer, the joke is over.

07/23/2015

URGENT, ACTION NEEDED:

Today, we expect legislation that would penalize Cook County and other jurisdictions for refusing to comply with immigration detainer requests to get a vote on the House floor. Please call members of the Illinois delegation TODAY and tell them to vote NO on H.R. 3009. Even if you think you’re member is in a good place, please err on the side of reaching out.

Here are the main talking points:
--Vote NO on H.R. 3009 (“Enforce the Law for Sanctuary Cities Act” introduced by Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-CA))
--Everyone should be able to contact the police
--Congress should allow law enforcement to exercise their best judgment to uphold public safety in their own communities

Find your rep at: http://www.house.gov/representatives/find/

Not sure of your congressional district or who your member is? This service will assist you by matching your ZIP code to your congressional district, with links to your member's website and contact page.

07/22/2015

Following Ms. Steinle’s tragic death, Senator Feinstein and Senator Grassley are banking on grief to push legislation that would force local police to enforce immigration law and punish those cities that limit collaboration. Senator Grassley wants to go a step further by imposing mandatory five-year minimum sentences on immigrants who re-enter the US after deportation.

ICE/police collusion does not add to public safety; it can only lead to distrust from the immigrant community and increased deportations.

The criminal justice and immigration system need to be kept apart and immigrant communities need to stop being criminalized and scapegoated. One individual’s actions should not be used as reason to punish thousands of immigrants and to break apart hundreds of families across the US.

Sign and share:http://www.notonemoredeportation.com/portfolio/feinstein/

07/10/2015

BREAKING: Congress of Day Laborers/Congreso de Jornaleros members block roads outside of ICE during DAPA hearing, demand end to raids & release of detained civil rights leaders.

WATCH LIVE HERE: http://www.notonemoredeportation.com/2015/07/10/nola/

07/10/2015

Br. Michael Gosh on the importance of maintaining protections under the TVPRA. Thank you for standing up for refugee migrant children!
http://www.dailyherald.com/arti…/20150703/discuss/150709254/

06/15/2015

Thank you to all of you who took action by signing up for our TVPRA Thunderclap! Missed out? You can still sign our petition:

http://action.groundswell-mvmt.org/petitions/tell-senator-mark-kirk-protect-migrant-child-refugees-fleeing-violence-and-poverty

Imagine you are a child seeking relief from violence and extreme poverty. You’ve left the only home you’ve ever known. You make it to America. You are tired, hungry, and disoriented. What happens next? Thank God you are covered by the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA), which…

06/11/2015

Amid reports that the # of unaccompanied children may be increasing again, it's important to remember why protecting the TVPRA is crucial. Protect children protect the TVPRA. Sign up for our Thunderclap TODAY: http://bit.ly/1APU8iu.

No TVPRA, means more of this:

"Of the unaccompanied minors the groups interviewed, more than 80 percent reported being denied food or water. One child reported that the only available water was from the toilet tank in her cell. Other children reported being fed frozen or spoiled food and they were ignored when they became ill.

Children also reported being held in cells when the lights were always on, sleeping on plastic sheets, and reported they were often freezing or subjected to extreme heat in their cells. The issue of cold cells has become so notorious that officers and prisoners call them "hielera" — "coolers" in Spanish."

I just supported Protect Children & TVPRA on

06/03/2015

A huge thanks to everyone who's signed our petition to Sen. Mark Kirk to protect unaccompanied children & the TVPRA. We're almost at 1,000 signatures!! Last week we met with Sen. Kirk's office, and he promised us a response on the TVPRA by June 18th. Between now and then, we need your help to stress just how important it is for Sen. Kirk to come out in support of the TVPRA.

Take action! Join us in raising awareness on the issue and in promote our petition to Sen. Kirk by signing up for our TVPRA thunderclap:



Our thunderclap will go live June 15, three days before the deadline for Sen. Kirk's response!! Sign up and encourage friends to sign up, as well. Together we can

05/27/2015

Our Groundswell petition addressed to Senator Mark Kirk, asking him to publically stand by children and to maintain due process protections for unaccompanied children has barely been open for a few days but has already garnered over 700 signatures. Please help us reach 800 signatures before the end of today! Tomorrow we're meeting with Sen. Mark Kirk's offices and we want our message to be clear and strong: the IL faith community stands by unaccompanied children!

Sign and share!

http://action.groundswell-mvmt.org/petitions/tell-senator-mark-kirk-protect-migrant-child-refugees-fleeing-violence-and-poverty?source=twitter-share-button

Imagine you are a child seeking relief from violence and extreme poverty. You’ve left the only home you’ve ever known. You make it to America. You are tired, hungry, and disoriented. What happens next? Thank God you are covered by the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA), which…

05/21/2015

Around this time last year, thousands of unaccompanied children started showing up at our borders in search of safety and refuge. Although fewer children are expected to arrive this summer, protections for them are still under threat!

In response, the CRLN and it's Immigrant Welcoming Congregations have committed themselves to working to ensure that basic essential protections for children are maintained.

Senator Mark Kirk has the opportunity to show leadership on this issue by opposing rollbacks to the TVPRA. We're planning on meeting with his offices very soon! Sign our petition, tell him to protect migrant child refugees:

http://action.groundswell-mvmt.org/petitions/tell-senator-mark-kirk-protect-migrant-child-refugees-fleeing-violence-and-poverty?source=twitter-share-button

Imagine you are a child seeking relief from violence and extreme poverty. You’ve left the only home you’ve ever known. You make it to America. You are tired, hungry, and disoriented. What happens next? Thank God you are covered by the Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act (TVPRA), which…

05/21/2015

Following mounting public pressure in the form of large demonstrations, negative national press coverage, and a hunger strike inside its facilities, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced a series of changes to its deceptively named, "family residential centers."