The Progressive West Roxbury organization hosted a workshop last week at the Stratford Street United Church to educate and empower residents against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) within the confines of the law and without unintentionally endangering non citizens.

Prior to the event was a social hour, hosted by Progressive WR president Rachel Polliner, to practice the art of knowing your neighbor who may one day be a lifeline against deportation. Leading the workshop was self-described community organizer Elaine Almquist who at the start of the meeting instructed each person to turn to their right or left and do the uncomfortable thing – chat. In about two minutes, she asked for everyone to do this again with someone new. The intent of knowing one’s neighbor is a basic strategy in fighting tyrannical dictators, she said. Knowing one’s neighbors, making eye contact, putting down phones are ways to be engaged and to create an atmosphere of comfort so that when that comfort is disrupted by ICE, regular people might actually know the name of their neighbor or worker in a restaurant.

Almquist said people might feel discomfort in talking to strangers, but she said this is how community happens. She then launched into “depressing” facts.

President Donald Trump has deported 400,000 people so far and 66,000 are detained. Of those detained, 170 are reportedly U.S. citizens. People in the room shouted that Trump just began pausing people’s citizenship from countries he deems not in alignment with Western values.

Despite the negative news, Almquist said its comforting to know immigrants are winning in courts. To this end, she argued to know your rights so that one doesn’t sign away freedoms to ICE. Because Massachusetts includes eight sanctuary cities, it is a target. The Burlington field office for ICE is supposedly a place to sit down with ICE officials, not a detention center, she said emphatically. Yet, Massachusetts gets paid $215 per day per detainee. She also explained how the national border has been expanded to 100 miles near any port of entry or airport, virtually encompassing the entire nation.

Children being detained is a violation since typically someone from the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families should be a part of the equation; yet they are not.

“Trump claims to be going after the worst of the worst but according to their own data, 70 percent have no criminal background,” she said.

She then brought up two examples of unnecessary detainment. One is 18-year-old Brazilian national Marcelo Gomes of Milford High School who was picked up on his way to volleyball practice. He did have a lapsed student visa but he is also on the honor roll. Gov. Maura Healey argued on behalf of him as did other officials. Upon release, outside Burlington’s ICE office Gomes spoke of a windowless room, concrete floors and no medical treatment. Burlington town hall passed a measure condemning ICE’s actions. Almquist said a friend of hers, Rumeysa Ozturk was detained for writing a pro Palestinian piece in the Tufts Daily and one of the reasons for her quick release was her preparedness.

Perhaps one of the strongest points Almquist made was creating a preparedness packet in the form of a PDF and to print it and delete from one’s phone, for safety reasons. These documents are intended to be as private as one’s social security number. A pastor of the church suggested storing the papers in a safe box on site. Someone else rebutted: what if ICE found out, then everyone’s papers would be in jeopardy. An attorney, in the room, said to visit a law office with a single dollar along with the papers to create attorney client privilege. Almquist agreed this or a bank was best for safekeeping.

Given the high level of genuine support for the disenfranchised it seemed a little disarming to have a progressive group initially asking the mostly white patrons for their personal information, to wear name tags and in very strong terms being told not to videotape or record even for the purpose of spreading the good work of this workshop. The information discussed was instructional or mentions of past incidents. This happened when one member in the audience said she did not wish to wear a name tag and was called “interesting.”

Despite the overreaching logistics and norms of the group, the workshop gave pertinent information on how to handle oneself in the presence of ICE. Firstly, be aware of LUCE, an immigrant defense network in MA. The number is (617) 370-5023 and they are open 5 a.m. to 9p.m. and offer various languages, Almquist said. LUCE is also looking for volunteers who speak specific languages. Be aware of the 4th amendment which protects people from unlawful search and seizures. Almquist asked the crowd to chant, “we do not give consent.” It was good assertiveness practice for when law enforcement knocks on a resident’s or business’ door. She explained the difference between a judicial warrant and an administrative one. A real warrant will have a judge’s name and signature. But she reminded the crowd, businesses do not need to serve ICE and can close their doors at any time. When they show up, decide that business hours are over, she said cheerily, while taking many sips from her tumbler, during her one-hour presentation. She even at one point thanked the crowd for all their questions as it gave her the opportunity to enjoy her tea.

She said businesses should place signs on their doors requiring a judicial warrant, she said. Empowering the masses takes away power from ICE officers, carrying out the orders of a dictator. During a raid at a gas station in Alston, Almquist let the workers know they did not have to serve ICE, which delighted the employees.

Currently, immigrants are not guaranteed lawyers, as their offense is civil not criminal. As a way of helping an immigrant in court, if one does witness a confrontation with ICE, Almquist suggested taking video – but definitely do not live-stream and publicize – and narrate using the SALUTE method, including: size of group, actions taken, location, uniforms with identification, time and date and equipment or weapons. The information could be crucial in court. Also many immigrants go to courts alone and she recommended going with them or even showing up via Zoom.

Calling 911 is a tricky thing. LUCE advises against it as drawing more officers to the scene could make things worse. On the other hand, ICE impersonators are becoming an issue where they have committed: robberies, kidnappings and sexual assaults – https://tinyurl.com/ydkuz73j

For that, a 911 call would be needed. She apologized for the two conflicting pieces of information and advised people to make the most human choice. In closing she recommended putting pressure on local legislators to co-sponsor three new pieces of legislation in motion. She even called out two well-known and regarded legislators for not co-sponsoring the bills.

She included an inspiring short video of a group of 60-somethings shouting “shame” at ICE officers as they were on their way to detain someone. The group was calm but fierce and the ICE officers eventually backed off.

In times like this, it takes grassroots efforts to affect change. This is not just for the history books. The times do need to change and people need to get off their phones and blow the whistle, which Almquist handed out to everyone in attendance.