In the latest volume of WE KEEP US SAFE, we talk about protecting your neighbors from ICE abuses. Also available on Instagram @NYCDSAAF.

Special thanks to @CosechaNYC, part of NYC ICE Watch, who are holding a training tomorrow at 1 p.m.: http://bit.ly/ICEWATCHTRAINING

What is ICE Watch?
-Observing and documenting ICE and NYPD activities against immigrant communities
-Helping immigrant communities defend themselves against ICE and NYPD activities that aim to harm them
-Creating a network of community members, activists & allies to do this work

-Building solidarity among neighbors to create sanctuary neighborhoods
-Creating a citywide raid verification and rapid-response infrastructure to support immigrant communities through a variety of tactics
-Giving lawyers evidence to help prevent or delay removals of people

Know Your Rights
-Part of ICE Watch is helping people understand their rights, whether it's shouting reminders from the sidewalk or handing out literature

-At home--the most common place for raids--you do not have to open your door for an ICE agent unless they have permission of a resident or a signed judicial warrant w/correct name & address
-It's recommended to NEVER open the door--too difficult to verify agents have correct info

They ALMOST NEVER have a judicial warrant--don't accept an administrative warrant. A judicial warrant is signed by a judge. ICE often lies: pretending to be NYPD, claiming a gas leak, etc. If they have a judicial warrant, they will break down the door anyway.

Patrolling, Canvassing and Building the Network

-Patrollling & Canvassing serve two purposes: to build the reporting network; and to observe, report on, and intervene in ICE attacks in real time. This can be best 5-7:30 a.m. and 6-7:30 p.m., when ICE raids often happen

Building the Network

-Walk, bike, or drive around your neighborhood and engage your neighbors: speak with people in your building, on your block, working at your bodega
-Talk about why this work is important to you, and explain to people how they can get involved

While NYC claims to be a sanctuary city, the NYPD regularly aids ICE activities
-Talk with immigrant neighbors about finding legal help to develop a plan in case of an ICE raid -- organizations like Legal Aid, Immigrant Defense Project (IDP) and Make the Road can help

Do not broadcast unverified reports of raids on social media, as this can lead to confusion, break people's trust, spread fear and paranoia, and take resources away from effective community defense.

To observe, report on and intervene in ICE attacks on immigrant communities, you need to know how to ID ICE agents
-Often present as "police" -- ask them to specify; ask if they are with ICE
-Often use unmarked vehicles but look for DHS or ICE insignia on cars, uniforms etc

How to report on a raid in progress

-Call or text 201-731-8940 (ideally via Signal).
-If there is a suspected raid, Raid Verifiers will search for evidence of ICE activity at the reported location, checking for video footage, visiting the area to look for ICE agents or vehicles.

-Once a raid is verified, Verifiers notify affected communities and relevant organizers and help raise a mass call for people to come to the targeted people's defense.
-If you or a neighbor are a citizen and can record video, begin recording as soon as ICE enters the space.

Interacting with law enforcement increases your risk of being targeted by law enforcement.
-Before going out, check in with yourself the level of risk you are willing to take on.
-Remain calm. If you feel it will not escalate the situation, talk with the person being targeted.

Ask if the targeted person needs you to call someone -- if so, get the phone number and make the call.
If ICE or the police ask you to move, you only have to move a foot or two to comply with their request.

You have a right to record -- but can't legally obstruct ICE functions or use "ancilary equipment," such as a tripod or an external microphone. If necessary, explicitly state, "I am not trying to get in your way. It is my right to document."

Some have successfully used direct action to stop ICE arrests by surrounding ICE vehicles or forming human chains around targeted individuals

Going in, be aware of your privileges and vulnerabilities and how these affect your engagement.

Engaging in these activities can result in arrest for anything from local violations or misdemeanors to federal felonies that can carry a fine and/or up to 1 year in prison

Officers frequently lie about the nature of confrontations, and bodily assault on an ICE agent can result in a 20-year sentence. Making sure to record direct actions can help avoid wrongful convictions.

In Bend, OR, protesters blocked an ICE bus for more than 12 hours. In Lynn, MA, people surrounded an ICE vehicle and successfully de-arrested the targeted person. These examples go on.

Successful actions often work to block the removal of the targeted person from the premises, rather than to pull someone out of custody, which can be escalatory and result in harsher legal penalties.

This is often accomplished with at least 1 person/side of vehicle to block exit

The documentation you provide could help keep someone in the country with their family. Tips:
Get the full shot. Hold your phone sideways (landscape). Try to get full bodies in the frame.
Keep your phone ready -- charged and with enough storage space. Check before you go out.

-Record key info without talking over evidence. Say date, time and location, as well any identifying info about ICE/NYPD, including number of agents, clothing, vehicle
-Describe any police misconduct you see, but don't give running commentary that may drown out what's being said

Special thanks to @CosechaNYC for their assistance. Sign up for ICE Watch training and join a neighborhood pod at http://bit.ly/ICEWATCHTRAINING