Bluer by the Lake Episode Two: ICE in the Region

ICE is in the Region. To get a better sense of what that looks like on the ground, we spoke with two Regionites with knowledge.

Part I
First up, Laura DeBolt, an attorney active in immigrant rights who runs a pro-bono asylum application. Laura explored:

• Her knowledge of NWI and Chicagoland ICE activity

• Best practices for undocumented or in-process immigrants to protect themselves.

• How to tell if the person trying to detain you is really ICE or not.

• Her recommendations for how to handle an ICE encounter if you are

  • An American citizen

  • A green card holder

  • Someone in the process of obtaining legal status.

• Where it’s safest for immigrants to protest: Chicago or NWI.

Here are some helpful links Laura mentioned in her interview:

National Immigrant Justice Center

• Know Your Rights (English website)

• Know Your Rights (Spanish PDF download)

Resurrection Project
Chicago-based organization active in immigrant rights advocacy.

Part Two
Next we spoke with local Hispanic activist — and recent high school grad! — Rafael Manzo, Jr. Rafael is the founder of the Hispanic Student Association and very active in immigrant rights in the Region. Rafael shared:

• His on-the-ground take on ICE activity.

• Concerns over the economic impact on the Region from immigrants afraid to leave their homes.

• Thoughts on the Hispanic community at the inflection point of needing more conversations with their children about ICE safety.

• Thoughts on protesting and how undocumented can stay safe.

Here are my fact checks on things Rafael mentioned in the interview.

• Indiana immigration/ICE assistance bill status.
  There are multiple bills in play in Indiana. The one closest to what Rafael mentioned, House Bill 1531, did not get to the Senate floor and didn’t pass. oes not Double check on teh immigration bill he mentioned on schools and employers providing info to the state, did it pass or not?

• Three California women kidnapped by ICE impersonators
  So I wasn’t able to corroborate this exact story. However, instances of ICE impersonators have been reported.

• Munster Target ICE sweep
  So the Munster definitely had an FBI presence a few weeks ago, but I couldn’t confirm if ICE was there, as well. Some suspect this was a training exercise.

Here are some links to sites Rafael mentioned:

Hispanic Student Association

Just Transition NWI

Thank you so much, Laura and Rafael, for joining us!

If you have information on any of the topics mentioned here, let us know!