Second ‘Know Your Rights’ forum preps undocumented about ICE raids

Sonoma Valley residents gathered at El Verano Elementary School last Tuesday evening for an “Immigrant Rights and Preparation Forum” addressing immigration issues in light of recent executive orders from the Trump administration broadening the reach of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Approximately 300 people packed the school’s multipurpose room where attendees were welcomed in both English and Spanish and encouraged to introduce themselves to those sitting and standing nearby.

The meeting was split into two sessions with the majority attending a presentation in Spanish by an organization called Vital Immigration and Defense Advocacy (VIDA) covering immigrant rights and how to prepare for the potential threat of deportation. About 75 other attendees moved to the on-campus Family Resource Center for a presentation in English by representatives from the Immigration Institute of the Bay Area, who explained immigration law and the challenges facing those who are not citizens.

At the Spanish presentation the Latino community was encouraged to be prepared in the case of encounters with ICE agents – including setting up guardianship documents for children in case of separation from parents, having a family plan, memorizing important phone numbers and having banking and health care documents set up in more than one name.

Many in the Spanish presentation took smart-phone photographs of the presentation screens, which showed important information. In the other session the mostly non-Latino attendees were learning that it can take decades to receive a green card through a family petition, and that for many undocumented residents the path to citizenship can be near to impossible.

Greg Campbell, a fourth grade teacher at Flowery Elementary who attended the meeting held in Spanish, said that he wanted to be well informed so that he could help the parents of his students if necessary.

“I don’t think people want to be talking about their status right now,” he said, “But, since the election, kids have definitely been nervous.”

“I think this is a community dilemma and I feel so poorly for people who are facing this. I want to show my support of the Latino community and hope they will find ways to feel more comfortable in this difficult situation,” said Selma Blanusa, who attended the English-language session. “It is heartwarming to see English speakers opening our eyes to the family hardships that might present themselves to our Latino neighbors.

Blanusa said the presentation gave her “better understand” as to why migrants feel they have to cross the border illegally. “The (legal immigration) rules are too harsh,” said Blanusa. “My grandparents immigrated to America from Sweden and I think Latinos should have the same right to be here and work here.”

Event sponsors included La Luz Center, the First Congregational Church, Spiritual Action of Sonoma United Methodist Church and the North Bay Organizing Project. A similar immigrants rights presentation, conducted only in Spanish, was held earlier this month at Hanna Boys Center that also attracted more than 250 residents.

A handout was distributed at Tuesday’s meeting, “Immigrant Needs and How You Can Help.” Among the “help” possibilities listed was the creation of a “sanctuaries committee,” chaired by Santa Rosa resident Dave Ransom, with the following questions listed: “How do we create sanctuaries in the Sonoma Valley area? Should we persuade businesses to become ICE free zones? Does the community need more information on rights and what to do if detained?” (Information at dransom391@gmail.com.)

Another is the Legal Fund and Defense Committee, chaired by former Sonoma City Council member Steve Barbose, which will, according to its literature, “solicit funds for legal expenses for immigrants in a variety of situations and to identify immigrant defense lawyers.” (For information, sbarbose@vom.com.)

A third, Citizenship Assistance, chaired by Claudia Robbins, will assist “persons who have been legal residents for five years” study for and pass their citizenship exam and become naturalized citizens, as well as help “dreamer” children born in the U.S. obtain their dual citizenship documents. (crobbins@vom.com.)

Four other areas listed as needing support were “family preparedness planning” for those facing potential deportation, as well as “rapid response teams” to be organized and trained to receive alerts of ICE raids and appear in the event of such raids to observe, take photos, get witnesses and notify a legal team. (Mario@laluzcenter.org.)

David Ransom said the residents that put together the committees are an offshoot of the Spiritual Action Group at the Sonoma United Methodist Church. The group had already meeting regularly to address housing issues but, according to Ransom, “When the election results came in last November we realized we had to get active on immigration questions, too.” They reached out to Castillo, the family outreach coordinator of La Luz’s Family Resource Center at El Verano School, and started identifying needs and finding people willing to help.

“It is tremendously important for us to stand up,” Ransom said. “People want to do the right thing.”