i am “america; i too”. where do we go from i to… · ahmed’s story protect yourself: contact...
TRANSCRIPT
I Am, “America; I Too”.
Where do we go from here?
What did I learn after watching the film?
How can I better protect and prepare myself against ICE?
Building the Foundation
FILM’S OBJECTIVE:
1. America; I Too’s primary purpose is to serve as a teaching resource for vulnerable immigrant populations regarding how to protect oneself in the event of arrest and incarceration.
2. America; I Too will serve as a learning tool for general audiences that seek information about the challenges immigrants are facing in regards to rights infringement, arrest, incarceration and pending deportation.
3. America; I Too will be paired with educational materials to help ensure that educators effectively and accurately teach their students about the hardships undocumented immigrants are facing and the importance of knowing and defending your civil rights.
Film’s Table of Contents:
CONTENTS:
1) How do the stories in the film relate to me or someone we know?
2) What’s a “Rights Card” and what’s its purpose?
3) What to remember if detained?
4) Family preparedness
5) Resources for locating detained individuals
6) The importance of taking action
7) Glossary of terms referenced in the film
8) Community organizations protecting immigrants
Manny’s Story
THINGS TO REMEMBER:
● Prepare an official “Family Plan”● Save money for a bail bond● Do not sign any documents without a lawyer present● What to tell the police or ICE if harassed:
“You don’t have consent or permission to search me”
Myeong’s Story
SCENARIOS WHEN ICE MUST RELEASE YOU:
● You are nursing an infant ● You have a special needs or a disabled child● Myeong was granted a “humanitarian release” or “release on her recognizance”● Myeong wore an electronic ankle monitor, as part of the Intensive Supervision
Appearance Program (ISAP). If under similar circumstances, be sure to ask for this. Being part of this program requires weekly visits and phone calls for periodic monitoring.
Ahmed’s Story
PROTECT YOURSELF:
● Contact the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) to get a referral to an qualified attorney
● Educate yourself by attending a Legal Orientation Program if offered or use the detention center law library to learn more about and build your case
● Work closely with your legal counsel ● Help and support fellow inmates with learnings and resources
Know your Rights
HOW TO REACT IF DETAINED:
● You have the right to remain silent and contact an attorney ● Do not offer any information about your immigration status or country of origin● If asked, only provide with your name and birthdate; then, ask to speak to your attorney● Carry your attorney’s contact information with your at all times● Don’t sign any documents● Don’t ever lie and carry false documents with you
CHIRLA Knows Your Rights
Your Rights Card:
● Carry CHIRLA’s Know Your Rights card with you at all times.
● The Rights Card is a valid document that offers you protection.
● CHIRLA offers a photo ID to all active CHIRLA Members with Rights Card on the flip side (pictured)
● If ICE chooses to ignore it or destroy it, always remain calm, be polite, even when not answering any questions. You have the right to remain silent.
Importance of Preparedness
YOUR FAMILY PLAN:
● Have a power of attorney ready. Give a trusted person with legal status clear written instructions on what to do. Have a lawyer at the ready and all documents in a safe and easy to find place
● Prepare a notarized letter authorizing someone else to care for your children if detained● Always carry Your Rights Card with your lawyer’s contact information on it● Know your Immigration Alien Number and date of birth● Have a financial reserve that will help you prepare for future expenses ● Prepare yourself and family how to remain silent and how to respond to ICE officers if
detained● Refer to CHIRLA’s “America; I Too” film and powerpoint presentation for tips on how to
protect yourself
You Are Not Alone
LOCATING DETAINED INDIVIDUALS:
● CHIRLA is here to help you find your loved one● Contact ICE’s local office● Use ICE’s website under the Detainee Locator section to conduct the search ● When looking someone up in their system, you will need the following:
* Full Name* Alien Number* Date of Birth
Take Action and Be Part of the Change
MAKE AN IMPACT:
● Support the immigrant rights movement by joining organizations like CHIRLA and becoming an advocate member
● Contribute to the immigrant rights movement by donating to CHIRLA to support its programs
● Call your representative and ask them to support immigrant rights ● Fight ignorance by reminding people the many contributions immigrants make to the
country and appropriate terminology usage when referenced — undocumented immigrants, not ‘illegals’
● Share “America; I Too” short film with others and post about it on social media
Glossary
TERMS REFERENCED:
Bail Bond: A method to obtain the release of a defendant awaiting trial. It can cost up to thousands of dollars and must be paid via money order.
Consent: Permission for something to happen or agreement to do something.
Constitutional Rights: A liberty whose protection from governmental interference is guaranteed by a constitution. Examples: Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, petition and due process, among many others.
Consulate: A place or building, a smaller version of an embassy, that handles minor diplomatic issues like issuing visas, aiding in trade relationships, taking care of migrants, tourists and expatriates.
Glossary
TERMS REFERENCED:
Gang database: A database, or registry, that contains personal, identifying information in which a person may be designated as a suspected gang member, associate, or affiliate, or for which entry of a person in the database reflects a designation of that person as a suspected gang member, associate or affiliate. Any local law enforcement agency has access to the Gang database.
Humanitarian Release: A humanitarian (or compassionate) release by which inmates in criminal justice systems maybe eligible on grounds of “particularly extraordinary or compelling circumstances which could not reasonably have been foreseen by the court at the time of sentencing.” Also known as medical release, medical parole, medical furlough, humanitarian parole, or releasing someone on their own recognizance.
ISAP program: An Alternative to Detention (ATD) program. The Intensive Supervision Appearance Program (ISAP) requires participants who are currently in removal proceedings and deemed eligible to post bond, and immigrants with final removal orders who cannot be returned to their home countries. The program requires participants to wear electronic ankle monitors.
Glossary
TERMS REFERENCED:
Legal Orientation Program: Lectures and classes designed to educate immigrants about their rights and the immigration court process so that they can make informed decisions about their legal cases.
The Rights Card: A wallet-sized card that lists one’s right protected under law when interacting with law enforcement officers.
The Right to Remain Silent: This constitutional right covers a number of issues centered on the right of the accused or the defendant to refuse to comment or provide an answer when questioned, either prior to or during legal proceedings in a court of law.
The right to speak to an Attorney: This means a defendant has a right to have the assistance of counsel (lawyers), and if the defendant cannot afford a lawyer, requires that the government appoint one or pay the defendant’s legal expenses.
Glossary
TERMS REFERENCED:
Voluntary departure: An alternative to mandatory deportation that allows you to leave the U.S. within a certain time period on your own, rather than under a removal order. A Voluntary Departure can be requested from ICE or from an immigration judge at the beginning or the end of removal proceedings. At times law enforcement has attemepted to cooerce a Voluntary Departure. You are obligated to take a Voluntary departure and you should check with an attorney before signing this.
U Visa: A nonimmigrant visa set aside for victims of crimes (and family members) who have suffered mental or physical abuse and are willing to assist law enforcement and govt. officials in the investigation of the criminal activity.
Resources
CHIRLA2533 W 3rd St #101, Los Angeles, CA 90057(213) [email protected]
Mexican Consulate2401 West 6th Street Los Angeles, CA 90057(213) [email protected]
Korean Consulate3243 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90010(213) [email protected]
Chinese Consulate443 Shatto Pl, Los Angeles, CA 90020(213) [email protected]
References
SOURCES:
Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA)
Fair Immigration Reform Movement (FIRM) Resources
ACLU
U.S. Department of Education Resources
Migration Policy Books
Center for Migration Studies Books
Immigration Nation by Susan E. Eaton
American Immigration Council
Vera Institute of Justice
Join CHIRLA
For more information about Know Your Rights trainings call CHIRLA’s Hotline:1-888-6CHIRLA - (888) 624-4752
Help us spread the word by gifting “America; I Too” on DVD to someone you know: http://bit.ly/AmericaIToo
Become a CHIRLA Member and be part of the movement
Support CHIRLA by donating today
Follow CHIRLA on Social Media:https://www.facebook.com/chirlausahttps://twitter.com/CHIRLA
This PowerPoint was written with the assistance of Anike Tourse and Aaron Mathew Bloom.
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