Velazquez, Myrie, and Menchaca Host ICE Rapid Response Session for Community Leaders

Sunset Park, Brooklyn – On Thursday, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), State Senator Zellnor Y. Myrie, and City Council Member Carlos Menchaca hosted a rapid response session for community leaders working to protect immigrant communities and keep families together.

Last week’s announcement of the national ICE raids mobilized communities across New York City to educate immigrants about their rights and connect them to services. Yet the threat of arrest and deportation will not abate after this current ramp up, and there is an opportunity now to share best practices so that community leaders can fashion their current efforts into ongoing rapid response units.

“We will not yield to any act of this administration,” said New York State Senator Zellnor Y. Myrie (D-20). “This administration wants us to hit the panic button but we're hitting the streets instead.”

"There is fear right now among immigrant communities. While I understand why my neighbors are concerned, the best thing we can do in advance of these ICE raids is make sure everyone is aware of their rights and where they can turn for help,” said Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY). This event served as a valuable information clearinghouse to train up community leaders and others on how to tap into these resources and what to do if there are ICE raids. In coming weeks, my office will continue working to spread the word and make sure all New Yorkers know their rights."

“The raids are serious, but make no mistake: this is the clearest proof yet that the Trump Administration is afraid,” said City Council Member Carlos Menchaca, Chair of the Committee on Immigration. “The courts are dismantling their deportation machine bit by bit. Congress is finally putting a spotlight on the insanity occurring in detention facilities. And the American people are coming together like never before to stand against this cruelty. The rapid response session is another example of this resolve. Together, we will ensure New York City remains a sanctuary for everyone.”

At the session, representatives from government and community-based organizations provided attendees with best practices for organizing rapid response teams and referring people to City services. In addition to legal and government services, the session focused on mental health resources given the special trauma the threat of ICE raids are causing the immigrant community as a whole.

 Important government, legal, mental health, and other City resources, in multiple languages, and how to access them included:

·        Know Your Rights information:

o   Visit the NYC.gov/KnowYourRights for fact sheets

o   Visit NYIC.org/KYR for worker’s rights and additional resources

·        To report ICE activity:

o   Call the Immigration Defense Project: 212-725-6422

o   Call 3-1-1 at any time to alert the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs

·        To connect with City-funded or other trusted attorneys and legal organizations:

o   Call the ActionNYC hotline: 1-800-354-0365

o   Call the Office for New Americans hotline: 1-800-566-7636

o   Call the Brookyn Law School Safe Harbor Clinic: 718-532-2417

·        To secure City-funded bond for immigrants already in detention:

o   Call the New York Immigrant Freedom Fund: 347-427-9553

·        To report fraudulent lawyers or businesses taking advantage of immigrants:

o   Report them through the New Americans hotline: 1-800-566-7636

o   Report them to the Brooklyn District Attorney: 718-250-3333

·        To connect with free professionals who can help with stress, trauma, and anxiety:

o   Call the NYC Well hotline: 1-888-NYC-WELL

o   Call the Academy of Medical and Public Health Services: 212-256-9036

o   Call NYU Langone’s Family Support Center hotline: 718-630-7186

o   Call the Caribbean Women’s Health Association: 718-826-2942

·        If you or someone you know is a Mexican national, they can register their children as Mexican nationals to greatly expedite family reunification:

o   Call the Mexican Consulate hotline: 917-459-2143

At the session were representatives from: the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, the New York Police Department, ThriveNYC, The Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, the Mexican Consulate, New York Immigration Coalition, the New York Immigration Freedom Fund, Mobilization for Justice, Brooklyn Law School, Immigration Defense Project, New Sanctuary Coalition, Caribbean Women’s Health Association, Academy of Medical and Public Health Services, and NYU Langone.

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