Group launches network to aid undocumented ?immigrants

The North Bay Rapid Response Network launched a 24-hour hotline and rapid response structure in Sonoma County last week.

The network helps defend undocumented immigrants from the increase of immigration enforcement, ICE raids and other attacks by the Trump administration that are causing fear and anxiety in the immigrant community. The network consists of collaboration from more than 50 community groups and organizations and involves more than 400 individuals from all parts of Sonoma County. La Luz Center and Sonoma Valley Action Coalition (SVAC) are the two organizations working together to structure this effort in Sonoma Valley. The structure includes bilingual dispatchers who will answer the hotline and send legal observers to document ICE raids. La Luz Center will be answering this hotline during office hours;

Trained Legal Observers will track, verify, and document ICE raids that may take place in the workplace, homes, neighborhoods and checkpoints: Sonoma Valley Action Coalition (SVAC) has contacted and trained over 40 local volunteers.

Accompaniment teams will provide support to victims and families following an ICE raid. La Luz Center and SVAC are working together with individuals and other community organizations to set up this system.

Lawyers will be notified by the hotline if undocumented immigrants have been apprehended and/or charged by federal immigration enforcement.

SVAC and La Luz Center are doing community outreach in various community settings to spread the word about this new resource for our community.

Information on upcoming Legal Observer and Accompaniment trainings can be found on the network-wide Facebook page, fb.com/NorthBayRapidResponse/ for those who may want to get involved or email crobbins@vom.com. The 24-hour Spanish/English hotline to report ICE raids in Sonoma County is 800-4544.