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Because the Trump administration has created new fear for immigrants, local organizations are working together to educate them about their rights.
Pastors from Hope City Church recently invited Help from Heaven Immigration Services, from Pipestone, and the Mexican Consulate of Dallas to meet with immigrants on Saturday, Feb. 15. In addition to a training session, they handed out information on what plans immigrants should make in case someone in their family is detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). They also gave out cards in English to explain to police officers who don’t speak the immigrant’s first language that they are exercising their rights to be silent and to consult with a lawyer.
“They are scared right now. We’re trying to bring a little bit of hope and peace,” said Maria Treviño, executive director of Help from Heaven, which provides legal services to immigrants, including helping with citizenship, work permits, translation and notary services. “It’s a great opportunity to help… It’s about looking at the need with a compassionate eye.”
She said many immigrants don’t know their rights in the United States, so the training she and Nancy Flores of the Departamento de Proteccion of the Mexican Consulate, was specifically to provide them with information they needed if they encountered a law enforcement officer.
In addition to letting attendees know they have the rights to remain silent and to consult with an attorney, they advised staying calm, not running and to always carry copies of their immigration paperwork with them.
“You have rights as an immigrant, and they are important,” Treviño said in both Spanish and English to the more than 30 people who attended the meeting. “Exercise your right to remain silent. Put the name of your lawyer and the number on your phone.”
Flores recommended immigrants memorize the names and phone numbers of their lawyers.
Treviño said immigrants need to plan in advance how to respond if they are pulled over by police when driving or if someone knocks on the door.
“Do not open the door if you don’t know who it is,” she said.
In the case of an official coming with a search warrant, she said to always ask for the officers’ identification as well as to see the warrant to make sure it is filled out correctly and has a judge’s signature. If it doesn’t seem like the warrant is filled out correctly, take a phone and send it to your lawyer.
She said they can record what happens. “You can say ‘I do not give permission to come in and search my house.’”
She advised immigrants to tell ICE if there are minors, elderly or if someone is ill in the home.
Immigrants’ worst fears of being separated from family can happen if ICE searches the workplace, which can happen if they have a search warrant or if an employer gives them permission.
She said it is important for immigrants to have plans in place in advance so if something happens, someone will contact family members and take care of the children.
Immigrants can get powers of attorney, which need to be notarized, to give someone other than the parant the ability to pick up children from school and care for them if a parent is detained.
She said driving is the most common risk an immigrant has when it comes to making contact with authorities. Speeding and driving intoxicated will get drivers pulled over and either ticketed or arrested.
“Sometimes they will ask you if you have a family member who can pick up the car,” she said.
Pastor Nancy Da La Peña of Hope City Church said the church plans to hold another session in March and is inviting the Salvadorian Consulate to attend as well since there were several people from El Salvador who attended.
Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District (CFBISD) has a statement on their website stating that the district is committed to providing a safe and inclusive environment for all students to be educated regardless of immigration status and does not ask for immigration status of students.
The website says that under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, schools cannot share student information with federal agencies, including ICE, without parental consent or a subpoena. “While CFB is assessing the impact of the new policy change that overrides schools, churches and hospitals as ‘sensitive areas,’ federal authorities will be treated the same way any other law enforcement officer is treated and not allowed in our schools without the proper legal documentation.”
The Branch Herald reached out to the Farmers Branch Police Department for either a statement or their immigration policy and received no response.
