Voces De La Frontera’s annual assembly draws hundreds of immigrants to learn about their rights and resources
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58)-- During President Donald Trump's first week in office, he enacted dozens of executive orders, several of which, related to immigration. Trump's promises caused many questions in Saturday’s annual assembly organized by the Wisconsin-based immigrants' rights organization Voces De La Frontera.
While Voces De La Frontera has been around for nearly 30 years, organizers say this year's assembly feels different with the amount of tension and worry that they're sensing within the immigrant community.
Several city leaders and community organizers were at the event, sharing their thoughts and their role in making our community a safe place. “It seems unreal, like a nightmare we are waking up from. It’s a new reality. What’s occurring to our people is real, it's ugly and not going away anytime soon. And because of that, all of us on the council feel the community's pain,” shared José Pérez, President of Milwaukee Common Council.
At South Division High School Saturday, Voces De La Frontera held their yearly assembly, in which they gathered to discuss how they’re “organizing immigrant workers to ensure they have a safe and prosperous community where no one lives in fear of family separation, discrimination, exploitation or violence” according to Christine Neumann-Ortiz, Executive Director of Voces De La Frontera.
This year, the assembly drew in about 400 people from all across Wisconsin. Volunteers estimate this attendance is nearly double that of last year. Neumann-Ortiz said, “President Trump's recent executive actions on immigration were not surprising and have created heightened concerns in our communities.”
“Every year the [assembly] brings the community together, talks about what's going on policy-wise at the state, federal level, even local. This year it’s a little different because of the changes at the federal level, threats of deportation. It’s gotten a different commitment from folks to participate and dig in to know their rights and be prepared if anything happens.” said Pérez.
The White House has started what it calls "the mass deportation campaign,” leaving many here in Wisconsin concerned. Neumann-Ortiz says this has sparked several rumors of ICE raids in our state. That's why Voces launched a bilingual tip-line to report immigration and customs enforcement officials, to which they've gotten "many calls" - but only one deemed credible from Fort Atkinson that was a singular ICE investigation. Apart from that, she says the calls have been false.
“We want to make sure we’re the first line of defense for our community. We want to give them good information, not rumors on social media that might scare folks. We want to give them good information and refer them to our partner agencies, immigration lawyers, and resources,” said Pérez.
Community and city leaders urge you to know your rights, and of those around you.
Voces shared “No matter your immigration status, you have rights, and it's essential that you know, defend, and use them to protect yourself in case of an encounter with ICE or the police”. Those rights include not opening your door, as ICE does not have the right to enter your home. If they have a warrant, they must slide it under the door for you to review. They recommend you stay silent until you can consult with your attorney. Do not run or resist, do not sign any document, and do not lie, according to Voces. Finally, be sure to film and take photos. “Document everything carefully. Record or take photos and detailed notes, including key information such as badge numbers, names or IDs of agents, the location, and the time of the encounter.”
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