ICE Response & Resources
Beloved Congregation:
Many people have questions about how to respond to the ICE presence in our community. Although we do not yet have a way to connect volunteers with families seeking support, please complete this form if you would like to accompany kids to school, transports adults to work or medical appointments, or deliver grocery orders. Someone from UUCSB will contact you.
A hopeful truth:
When communities have verification pathways, legal observer connections, mutual aid readiness, and clear safety protocols, we the people, take back some power. We breathe again, stop freezing and start helping because our local communities help us feel less alone. (The 50501 Movement)
~ Randa T.
Board President
The New England Region of UUA has put together the following list of resources.
You can view that original email HERE.
Resources to Meet the Moment in Maine
Please find below a list of actions, resources, and information that we hope you find useful and grounding.
Action Item: Emergency Bill Testimony Next Week
On Thursday, January 29 at 1:00pm the Maine legislature’s Judiciary Committee will hold a public hearing on an emergency bill, LD 2106, to make sure ICE can’t enter private spaces in hospitals, schools, and childcare centers. The best way to support this bill is to testify - in writing, in person, or on Zoom - and Maine People's Alliance (MPA) is here to support you in that process. Sign up (Action Network) and an MPA organizer will be in touch.
Maine ICE Watch Information
The hotline is overwhelmed! Please only call, as noted, for an immediate threat at your door. Otherwise, for sightings, please text the hotline and be sure to use the SALTE protocol every time:
S: size/strength
A: actions happening
L: location and direction headed
U: uniforms/clothing description
T: time/date
E: equipment/weapons
For more information, visit the Maine Immigrants' Rights Coalition's resource hub.
Remember these protocols when using noise to respond to ICE activity. Noise is a resource and a way to communicate to folks nearby. Please only use car alarms for abductions.
Note that the ICE verifier training and ICE hotline training forms are currently closed as folks are vetted for the next training. Check back at the website linked above often for forthcoming opportunities.
For more information, visit the Activate Maine's ICE toolkit.
Opportunities for Volunteering or Mutual Aid
Maine organizations to support or get involved with:
Additional Resources
From Maine ACLU:
From Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project (ILAP):
Get help for a person who has been detained by immigration officials
Statement from ILAP on the first few days of ICE's operation in Maine
And explore their website for an extensive library of other resources
From Southern Maine Workers' Center:
4th Amendment training resources (Google folder) - note, some of this content is specific to hospitality but much is more widely applicable