Last Wednesday, the office of Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., hosted a live webinar titled “Know Your Rights With ICE,” aimed at educating migrants in her district about their legal rights when interacting with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The event, broadcast on Ocasio-Cortez’s Facebook page, addressed the growing concerns of immigrant communities amid increased enforcement efforts under the Trump administration. During the webinar, attendees were informed about how to handle ICE encounters, including the rights they hold under the Fourth Amendment, which protects against unreasonable searches and seizures. The session also highlighted strategies migrants can use to protect themselves, such as documenting interactions with ICE and understanding the different types of warrants ICE agents may present.
Speakers from the Immigrant Defense Project, a Manhattan-based nonprofit advocating for immigrant rights, played a key role in the webinar, offering insights into how ICE operates. They emphasized that even if ICE identifies someone for deportation, it does not automatically mean the person will be deported. Migrants have the right to challenge their case and remain in the U.S. Genia Blaser, a representative from the organization, underscored that everyone, regardless of immigration status, has rights during encounters with ICE. “Even if during an encounter with ICE, what they’re doing doesn’t feel legal or fair, it’s important to know that everyone has rights,” Blaser said. This message of empowerment was central to the event, as the group sought to equip migrants with the knowledge to assert their rights confidently.
The webinar also addressed the tactics ICE agents may use to gain entry into private spaces. Laura, another speaker, explained that ICE agents typically need a judicial warrant signed by a judge or explicit consent to enter a home or conduct a search. However, she noted that ICE often relies on “ruses” or deceptive practices to coerce individuals into granting consent. These tactics include misrepresenting their identity, lying about their authority, or intimidating people into compliance. Laura warned that ICE agents rarely carry judicial warrants, which means they must rely on these strategies to gain access. “They either want to deceive you into thinking they’re not ICE or lie so you believe they have the right to enter,” she said. By shedding light on these practices, the webinar aimed to prepare migrants for potential encounters and reduce the likelihood of coercion.
The event also provided practical advice for dealing with ICE. Attendees were advised to record interactions with ICE agents, whether through video or written notes, as this documentation can be crucial for legal challenges. They were also encouraged to understand the differences between various types of warrants and to remain aware of their surroundings, especially in public spaces where ICE agents may operate with less oversight. Blaser noted recent trends in ICE operations, such as early morning arrests, stops in public areas like restaurant entrances, and unmarked vehicles targeting individuals during their daily commutes. She described these encounters as often aggressive and quick, emphasizing the importance of being prepared and knowing one’s rights.
Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, though not present during the webinar, actively supported the initiative. She shared resources on Instagram, including bilingual posters in English and Spanish, urging her followers to study and share them widely. In her posts, she framed the struggle for migrant rights as a collective effort, writing, “Our strategic advantage in this moment is our strength in numbers. It is time to use it.” She encouraged people to print the posters and display them in visible locations, such as workplaces or near home entrances, as a way to empower communities to defend their rights. Ocasio-Cortez’s involvement underscored the broader importance ofItemSelected community solidarity and the role individuals can play in protecting one another.
The webinar and Ocasio-Cortez’s efforts reflect a growing resistance to aggressive immigration enforcement under the Trump administration. As ICE operations continue to escalate, events like this highlight the need for migrants to be informed and prepared. By equipping communities with knowledge and resources, initiatives like the “Know Your Rights With ICE” webinar aim to counteract fear and empower individuals to assert their rights. However, the challenge remains significant, as ICE’s tactics often exploit vulnerabilities and create uncertainty. For now, the focus is on spreading awareness and fostering resilience, ensuring that no one faces these challenges alone.
In conclusion, the “Know Your Rights With ICE” webinar was a vital effort to empower migrant communities in Rep. Ocasio-Cortez’s district. By addressing ICE tactics, legal rights, and practical strategies, the event sought to reduce fear and build confidence. The broaderMovement for immigrant rights continues to face an uphill battle, but initiatives like this remind us of the power of knowledge and collective action. As Ocasio-Cortez so aptly put it, “They cannot come after us all. That is why they actively use and create fear.” By challenging this fear with truth and solidarity, communities can take a crucial step toward reclaiming their rights and building a safer, more just future.
