Migra Watch
We protect against ICE with Migra Watch.
Migra Watch is a rapid response network that provides undocumented immigrants with support and protection against ICE. Directly impacted community members and allies can respond to ICE raids in our own neighborhoods in real time. When ICE targets someone in our community, we will respond, document, and offer support and resources. No more ICE raids in the shadows.
How does Migra Watch work?
Immigrants in the Sacramento area access our 24-hour Migra Watch Hotline in the event of an ICE raid. Hotline dispatchers will assess the situation and guide the impacted community member(s) on their rights during the raid. Simultaneously, a text-alert will go out based on zip-codes to all trained volunteer legal observers within the vicinity of the ICE raid. Available volunteer teams will deploy to the site of the raid to document the raid with their phones, hold space, and be a presence for the family. Afterwards, volunteers connect impacted community members and their families with legal resources and movement support.
We need your help!
There's strength in numbers- the more volunteers we have, the better we can support our undocumented neighbors. That's why we hold observer trainings in Sacramento and the surrounding area regularly to build our base of support. We conduct these trainings in conjunction with National Lawyers Guild Sacramento Chapter as part of the Sacramento Immigration Coalition.
Roles of a Migra Watch Observer:
1. Verify the raid:
There is a lot of fear and anxiety, so some of the calls may be false alarms. Volunteers will help verify whether a raid is actually happening before rumors create panic.
2. Moral and Legal Observers:
Migra Watch teams document what’s happening during the raid, gather information to support the legal team, expose ICE malpractices and abuses with the media, and refer families to attorneys. Some basic tips:
3. Connect the Victims to Legal Resources and the Accompaniment Team:
After immigration officials have left (or if the team arrives after the raid is completed), the volunteer team will talk to the family to be a supportive presence for them, get information about what happened, the names of who was detained, and then connect the family with the local legal rapid response network to make sure the detainees have legal representation. For families left behind during an ICE raid, an accompaniment team of volunteers will support them as needed through the immigration process of their loved one.
4. Connect to our Movement:
By having allies and those directly impacted by ICE raids work together, we can build a stronger movement for immigrant rights.
There is a lot of fear and anxiety, so some of the calls may be false alarms. Volunteers will help verify whether a raid is actually happening before rumors create panic.
2. Moral and Legal Observers:
Migra Watch teams document what’s happening during the raid, gather information to support the legal team, expose ICE malpractices and abuses with the media, and refer families to attorneys. Some basic tips:
- Take video and pictures of vehicles and the agents
- Take notes: Time, location, how many agents, what is being said and the tone, describe any violent actions and/or racist, xenophobic, condescending words, what is happening, did they take people?
- Do not engage with ICE
3. Connect the Victims to Legal Resources and the Accompaniment Team:
After immigration officials have left (or if the team arrives after the raid is completed), the volunteer team will talk to the family to be a supportive presence for them, get information about what happened, the names of who was detained, and then connect the family with the local legal rapid response network to make sure the detainees have legal representation. For families left behind during an ICE raid, an accompaniment team of volunteers will support them as needed through the immigration process of their loved one.
4. Connect to our Movement:
By having allies and those directly impacted by ICE raids work together, we can build a stronger movement for immigrant rights.
Migra Watch observer trainings are an excellent way for faith groups, labor unions, and community associations to become active in the fight for immigrant rights. All trainings provided by NorCal Resist are free.
Want to attend our next training? Check out our upcoming events.
Want to host up a training with us? Get in touch below!
Want to attend our next training? Check out our upcoming events.
Want to host up a training with us? Get in touch below!