From Indivisible Cumberland County, we have the following:
| The ICE surge is now happening in Maine What do we know? We understand that the ICE operation in Maine will be an extension of what’s happening in Minnesota, where the administration has been targeting Somali immigrant communities and refugee communities in furtherance of a fraud narrative. We expect an enforcement operation will heavily focus on Lewiston in particular, as well as Portland, but that does not mean it will be contained to those areas. We understand some immigration agents have already arrived in Maine, and we are expecting many more in the coming days. The potential focus on Somali immigrants does not mean other immigrant communities in Maine won’t be targeted. And the potential focus on refugees does not mean people with other immigration statuses won’t be targeted. Partners in Minnesota report that while there is a focus on refugees and Somali immigrants, people are being profiled and indiscriminately targeted while out in public. What information should I share on social media? Please do not share information that will cause needless fear for immigrant communities at this already-stressful time. As always, only share verified, accurate information. ILAP, the ACLU of Maine, and the Refugee and Human Rights Clinic at the University of Maine School of Law have put together this resource if you are looking for accurate Know Your Rights and other materials to share with your networks: What rights do immigrants have?All people in the United States, regardless of immigration status, have certain rights and protections under the U.S. Constitution. These include: –The right not to open the door to your home to ICE, unless the agent has a signed judicial warrant. –The right to ask an ICE officer, “Am I free to leave?” –The right not to answer an immigration officer’s questions and to tell an immigration officer, “I choose not to say anything.”Importantly, even if someone exercises their rights, ICE may ignore them and still detain them. If ICE tries to detain someone, they should do their best to stay calm and not run away or resist arrest. Learn more What do I do if I see immigration enforcement officers? Make sure you know your rights regarding filming an ICE arrest or encounter: –Filming Immigration Enforcement in the U.S. -Report what you’ve seen to Maine’s ICE Watch Hotline at 207-544-9989. –Complete this form if you believe an immigration officer has violated someone’s rights. How do I make sure my business, school, or place of worship is prepared for ICE enforcement? Learn more here. What do I do if someone in my community is detained? -What if my loved one is detained? Know Your Rights: What to Do if You or a Loved One is Detained. -How can I find my detained loved one? Track detained person’s location.What if my loved one is detained at Cumberland County Jail (ME), Two Bridges Regional Jail (ME), or Strafford County Correctional Facility (NH)? Complete this form. -What if my loved one is detained at Plymouth County Correctional Facility (MA) or Wyatt Detention Facility (RI)? Complete this form. -How can I or someone I know who is detained obtain financial help (bail, bond, commissary, etc.)? Visit the Maine Immigrant Resource Hub. Based on what we know now, how can communities respond? –Support Lewiston: On-the ground support will be needed in Lewiston. Make sure to obtain permits if needed for protests and take all steps to comply with local laws and remain peaceful. Use visuals and photos and amplify on social media and to the press. However, please be cautious about sharing photos of people’s faces without consent and take other steps necessary to protect each other. –Document ICE Activity: Minneapolis organizations report that in addition to enforcement against refugees and Somali immigrants, other people on the street are being profiled and indiscriminately targeted. Strategize on ways to help keep people safe. ***Make sure you know your rights regarding filming an ICE arrest or encounter: Filming Immigration Enforcement in the U.S. ***Report what you’ve seen to Maine’s ICE Watch Hotline at 207-544-9989. ***Complete this form if you believe an immigration officer has violated someone’s rights. ***Share footage with the press as is strategic and consider the consent and safety of people you’re filming. Encourage Maine Businesses Not to Serve or Otherwise Welcome Immigration Agents: Talk to businesses in Lewiston, Portland, and beyond and encourage them not to serve ICE agents and to post signs of solidarity with immigrant communities in business windows. Take care not to draw particular attention to places where noncitizens might be. Organize Donations to the Maine Solidarity Fund: https://www.mainesolidarity.org/ Maine Home for All Campaign: Last year ILAP launched the Maine Home for All campaign to spread a clear message that everyone deserves to feel safe, be with family, and build the life they want here in Maine. Unbranded graphics for this campaign are available here to be used in the days ahead. Solidarity signs from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center are available here. Print and Distribute KYR Information: -Know Your Rights materials can be posted in public places and left at businesses and other locations with permission. Take care not to draw particular attention to places where noncitizens might be. -Maine ICE Watch Hotline multilingual small flyers, large poster, small poster ***Know Your Rights summaries: *****If ICE Stops You In Public *****If ICE Comes to Your Home *****Red Cards here (Note: community organizers should print cards themselves or use a local print shop) *****Know Your Rights Filming ICE here |
ACLU of Maine
Know Your Rights:
Customs and Border Patrol and the 100-Mile Border Zone
The Fourth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects people from random and arbitrary stops and searches. But U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which includes U.S. Border Patrol, operates broadly in border areas.
The agency claims authority to conduct operations as far as 100 miles from the U.S. border, which includes international land borders and the U.S. coastline. All of Maine is within this 100-mile zone, and CBP claims the power to conduct patrols and operations across the entire state. However, you still have rights, and there are important legal limitations on what CBP can do.
Read more here in the ACLU of Maine site.
FROM MoveOn:
We have two major tools to rein in Trump and ICE. First, funding for the Department of Homeland Security, which houses ICE, runs out on January 30. Republicans in Congress need Democratic votes to fund ICE—since appropriations bills must clear 60 votes in the Senate.
Democrats have real leverage. They must use it. We cannot allow them to squander it—again. Not now.
Second, we must keep taking to the streets—loudly, urgently, and peacefully—to demand that ICE get out of our communities, and we need leaders in every corner of American society to join and quickly grow our movement.
Governor Mills’ Statement on Potential Federal Law Enforcement Operations in Maine
On January 14th, Governor Mills issued a statement concerning ICE activity here in Maine. Click here to see her statement on Vimeo.
