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While the nation was still digesting the first presidential debate, organizers in Long Beach have been busy educating undocumented residents of their rights after threats of arrests by the Trump Administration.

The Washington Post reported Tuesday that the administration was preparing to target cities that have adopted “sanctuary” policies with a wave of arrests by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers starting this month.

A local educational workshop had been planned for some time, but this week’s news—reported just hours before the debate—made the workshop very timely.

Gaby Hernandez, executive director of the Long Beach Immigrants Rights Coalition, said that Wednesday’s “Know Your Rights” workshop and future ones are designed to empower residents by letting them know what they can do when interacting with ICE officers, but also to calm fears.

These kinds of raids have been happening since before Trump was in office, but because he’s so “in your face about it,” it’s stoking anxiety in immigrant communities, she said.

“We know this is just a political move, but it’s intensifying and it’s scaring the community,” Hernandez said.

A graphic shared by LBRIC informing residents of basic rights when dealing with immigration officers. Photo courtesy of LBRIC

 

The workshops that the coalition hosts were typically held in person and could include role playing to show what a visit of ICE could look like. However, Hernandez said they’re now hosted on Zoom and require a RSVP as the group tries to ensure privacy and safety for attendees.

Hernandez said the workshops attempt to inform residents of some basic rights, like the fact that officers need a warrant signed by a judge, as well as the visual differences between those kinds of warrants and the documents that are issued by the Department of Homeland Security.

The group also tries to help residents differentiate regular police officers from ICE officers, and advises that they don’t necessarily have to open their homes if a warrant is not presented. It also shares graphics of these notes on social media and issues cards with similar information to residents for them to keep on their person.

If they are detained, the group also shares information about resources like the city’s deportation legal defense fund and advocates for their release, such as it’s current effort to close down the detention site in Adelanto.

“We know these are uncertain times, but there is hope,” Hernandez said. “There is hope that they can fight for their freedom even if they are detained.”

Hernandez said it’s hard to say if Long Beach will be one of the city’s targeted if the federal government proceeds with the wave of immigration arrests, but it’s better to be prepared. Long Beach did adopt a resolution in 2018 supporting the statewide sanctuary bill and Mayor Robert Garcia is a constant critic of Trump on social media, both of which could draw attention to the city.

But whether or not the Trump administration delivers on its threat, her organization will continue to try and educate vulnerable immigrants in the city.

“We’re not trying to create panic,” Hernandez said. “We’re just trying to empower people and to to make sure that neighbors can help protect each other.”

The next scheduled workshop the group is hosting will happen Oct. 28.

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Jason Ruiz covers City Hall and politics for the Long Beach Post. Reach him at [email protected] or @JasonRuiz_LB on Twitter.