In light of former President Trump’s stringent immigration measures—including commitments to reform immigration systems, intensify enforcement against undocumented immigrants, and eliminate birthright citizenship—advocates and online groups are rallying to provide undocumented individuals with essential constitutional insights and tools.
After a raft of executive actions, including the discontinuation of the CBP One app, Trump is ready to endorse his initial immigration legislation, which requires the detention of undocumented immigrants facing criminal charges. While litigation surrounding these measures progresses, immigrant advocates are focusing on swift action by distributing “red cards” to those undocumented. These cards, developed by the **Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC)**, are intended to empower individuals in asserting their rights during any interactions with immigration authorities.
### What Are Red Cards?
Red cards, or *tarjetas rojas*, serve as concise Know Your Rights instruments that enable individuals to safeguard themselves from unlawful searches or questioning by immigration personnel. The cards, which come in various languages, guide individuals to:
1. **Not open the door** to immigration officers.
2. **Ask to see a warrant signed by a judge** before permitting entry.
3. **Decline to respond to questions** or sign any papers.
4. **Assert their right to remain silent** and request a lawyer.
The English version of the card, aimed at ICE agents, references the individual’s Fifth and Fourth Amendment rights, explicitly refusing authorization for searches or entry absent a valid warrant. The ILRC offers free downloadable versions of these cards in over twelve languages, such as Spanish, Chinese, Arabic, and Ukrainian.
### Grassroots Initiatives to Distribute Red Cards
Advocates and community members are utilizing social media platforms to raise awareness about red cards. For instance, TikTok user **@KristinDawnMunoz** recounted her experience printing red cards for her loved ones, a post that has accumulated over 1.2 million views. Munoz also initiated a **GoFundMe campaign** to fund the bulk printing and distribution of red cards. In a similar vein, digital activist **@FlowersInSpanish** has been directly delivering red cards to agricultural laborers and other at-risk groups.
Groups like the **Los Angeles Unified School District** have also provided red cards and additional immigration resources to students and their families, especially after Trump permitted immigration enforcement actions within schools.
### Expanded Advocacy and Resource Distribution
Aside from red cards, organizations advocating for immigrant rights and their supporters are offering a variety of resources to aid undocumented individuals in preparing for possible encounters with ICE. For example:
– **Barrio Drive**, a Latinx-owned enterprise, provides a complimentary Google Drive brimming with immigration-related information, artwork, and infographics. The ILRC also takes bulk orders for red cards through their website.
– The **Immigrant Defense Project** recommends that undocumented individuals document critical information—such as medical and childcare details—and keep it easily accessible. They also suggest consulting with a lawyer to explore avenues for potential deportation relief.
– **Beyond Legal Aid** features a 24/7 immigration helpline at (872) 267-2252, while the **National Immigrant Justice Center** offers guidance for creating a safety plan and operates a helpline at 1-855-435-7693.
### Community Warnings and Online Networks
Advocates are encouraging the community to stay alert and disseminate verified information regarding ICE operations. For example, the subreddit **r/LaMigra** monitors ICE raids, notably within the 100-mile border enforcement zone, aiding communities in remaining informed and safe. Traditional techniques, like shouting “La Migra” to alert others to the presence of ICE, are still being employed as methods of alert and protection.
### Institutional Opposition to Trump’s Policies
A coalition of 80 organizations recently sent a letter to U.S. officials, appealing for enhanced protections for undocumented individuals. The correspondence criticized Trump’s policies, asserting that they “target children and their parents on school grounds, coworkers in their workplaces, patients in their hospital beds, and neighbors in our grocery stores.” The authors cautioned that these actions would increase racial profiling and could take lives.
Policy specialists like **Sameera Hafiz**, Policy Director at ILRC, have also denounced Trump’s immigration agenda. Hafiz underscored the risks associated with mass deportations, noting that they frequently lead to family separations, prolonged detentions, and deportations to nations where individuals may lack connections. She stressed that such actions do not improve public safety, contrary to Trump’s assertions.
### An Urgent Appeal for Action and Empathy
As Trump’s immigration measures unfold, advocates are calling on communities to respond decisively yet thoughtfully. They highlight the need for sharing resources, backing undocumented individuals, and maintaining calm. Most importantly, they remind everyone that deportation is an agonizing and often inequitable process that impacts not just undocumented individuals but also their families, friends, and communities.
Through the distribution of red cards, the development of safety strategies, and the establishment of support networks, immigrant rights advocates are striving to safeguard vulnerable populations and counteract policies they consider unjust.