Charlotte Immigration Protection Alliance
What can I do?
Toolkit for Supporting Immigrant Neighbors
Resisting ICE - CPB Actions
In 2022, the city of Charlotte became a Certified Welcoming City, a testament to its dedication to inclusivity and our efforts to ensure immigrants and all new residents feel supported and valued.
The fabric of our Welcoming City is under attack by ICE - CBP. Our immigrant neighbors live in fear of kidnapping, detention, and deportation. Families fear being torn apart.
Portland, Los Angeles, DC and Chicago have stood up for their immigrant neighbors. Now it’s our turn in Charlotte. We ALL have a role to play.
A few ground rules:
Only share information from VERIFIED sources like Carolina Migrant Network. Unverified reports create unnecessary fear and panic in impacted communities.
Do not share meeting links, actions, and invitations on social media UNLESS the organizer has asked for the info to be shared in that manner.
Practice deescalation and non-violence. CBP is quick to escalate with pepper bullets, tear gas, etc. DO NOT give them an excuse to attack. Deescalation training calendar coming soon.
Use secure channels for communication. Many groups will be using the Signal App.
Three ways that YOU can help:
1. VOLUNTEER (likely to change/expand as ICE-CBP actions expand)
You can participate in Visibility Pop Ups
Indivisible Charlotte hosts more than 20 pop up protests each week. The captains at these pop ups are trained in deescalation. Follow their lead. Join us! Sign up to join popup protests.
You can distribute Know Your Rights cards
Our vulnerable neighbors need to know their rights if they are confronted by ICE-CPB agents.
Order Know Your Rights cards local printer Consolidated Press. They already have the artwork ready to go. You can also order them here. These are great for distributing at bus stops, in the carpool lines and anywhere you feel they are needed.
You can distribute Know Your Rights information to businesses
Distribute Signs of Solidarity packets to businesses in vulnerable areas on your own. This program is under development – check back here for Know Your Rights training for businesses.
You can put up flyers with the ICE Alert Hotline
Carolina Migrant Network has graphics (below).
You can join a School Patrol that looks for ICE/CBP at drop off and dismissal times. See Quick Tips for School Patrols. Sign up here.
You can be an ICE Verifier
ICE verifiers receive training in how to identify and document ICE - CBP agent activity. Training is offered frequently by Carolina Migrant Network (Mecklenburg County only) and Siembra (outside Mecklenburg) More training to be listed here soon. Carolina Migrant Network trainings:
Mon. 11/17 at 6:30pm, Tues. 11/18 at 6:30 pm
You can identify and track ICE/CBP vehicles
Locate staging area/s for enforcement, document vehicle IDs, share info with ICE Verifiers and
Rapid Response Team. (Watch here for more details)
You can sign up to do street patrols
We are building teams to monitor certain corners and corridors. Siembra offers “Safe to Work, Safe to School” trainings. After training, you may sign up for stationary, or roaming patrols. Training sign up here.
2. DONATE
These local organizations require immediate financial assistance to support our immigrant neighbors.
Carolina Migrant Network fuses legal services and community advocacy to provide holistic support for our clients and their families. Your funds will aid their activities including:
ICE Hotline that notifies impacted community members of danger.
Bail funds for neighbors kidnapped by ICE-CBP
“No one should face fear alone.” La Coalición has activated its Family Support Network to provide financial help to impacted families.
ourBRIDGE provides after-school programs and wrap-around services for immigrant and refugee families at three locations in Charlotte (East & Southwest). For ways to get involved in their response and mutual aid efforts sign up HERE.
Líderes en Acción has been leading the fight for immigrant justice in North Carolina.
Líderes en Acción keeps winning because its grassroots leaders are the same families that are impacted by our broken immigration system. They empower themselves and their community, through leadership development, and by encouraging others to advocate for themselves, through lobbying and direct action.
3. SHOP LOCAL
Fear of ICE actions in the community causes vulnerable families to stay home. Immigrant restaurants and other businesses suffer. Spend your dollars to support the most impacted businesses (and get a great meal!). Here’s a great place to start.
RESOURCES