By Natalie Kerby | Individual Philanthropy Associate
Deportation is an increasing fear in the immigrant community as the Trump administration cracks down on undocumented immigrants, particularly those with criminal records. As of May 2017, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials had arrested more than 41,000 people, almost a 40% increase from the same time last year.
ICE officials have continued to aggressively surveill, target and harass immigrant communities. They show up in nondescript clothing, identify themselves as police officers, or fabricate stories to gain entry into homes. And while none of these tactics are unique to the current presidential administration, we’re seeing more and more people using video to stand up and take action.
In recent months, numerous videos showing ICE raids have surfaced, often depicting illegal tactics in the roundup of undocumented immigrants. While these videos can serve as evidence and help expose illegal activities and human rights abuses committed by ICE officers, many of the videos can also put the victims and filmers at risk of retaliation and further abuse.
WITNESS collaborated with peer organizations, such as Worker’s Justice and National Immigration Project of National Lawyers Guild to create Filming Immigration and Customs Officials (ICE), a tip sheet that provides key guidance around safety and rights for both the filmers and those being filmed. Guidance includes “know your rights” information (like the fact that it is legal to film ICE and local law enforcement in public as long as you don’t interfere), and safety recommendations (like encrypting your phone and carrying contact information for a trusted ally or lawyer).
In addition to distributing the tip sheet, WITNESS teamed up with Immigrant Defense Project for the webinar #EyesOnICE; webinar participants learned about their rights and gained some practical tips on documenting encounters with ICE. The webinar included a Q&A session with the Center for Constitutional Rights to answer legal questions. More than 550 people signed up to learn about using video safely and effectively to protect immigrants’ rights. You can watch the webinar recording here.
As immigrant families face this climate of fear and uncertainty, WITNESS will continue to provide resources and guidance to best protect them and their communities. We are standing alongside marginalized groups in the U.S. and abroad to ensure that anyone can use the power of video and technology to make a difference.
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