SEATTLE (AP) – After a Seattle immigration judge dismissed the deportation case against a Colombian man, three volunteers rushed to assist him in the courtroom, knowing that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers were waiting outside to take him into custody. They helped him memorize important phone numbers, gathered family member names for notification, and took his car keys for safekeeping. Judge Brett Parchert, surprised at the presence of ICE in the waiting room, observed the urgent support being provided by these individuals.
This incident highlights the broader context of a mass deportation campaign initiated during President Donald Trump's administration, which targets cities and states with Democratic leadership, instilling fear among asylum-seekers and immigrants. Legal defenders have initiated lawsuits seeking class-action protections against ICE arrests occurring outside immigration court hearings. In contrast, a diverse coalition of volunteers, including faith leaders, college students, grandmothers, and retired professionals, has stepped forward to provide logistical and moral support for at-risk immigrants facing detention.
The Northwest Immigrant Rights Project reported a surge in community members seeking to assist, prompting the creation of volunteer training videos and "Know Your Rights" sheets in multiple languages. Volunteers have been actively monitoring immigration courts nationwide, escorting immigrants who are at risk of being detained by ICE officials, documenting arrests, and providing vital support during a confusing and bureaucratic legal process.
Since May, the government has been pursuing the dismissal of deportation cases in court, which allows ICE to arrest individuals in the hallways and initiate fast-track deportation proceedings, regardless of their ongoing legal immigration process. Once detained, immigrants often struggle to obtain legal representation, which exacerbates the challenges they face in navigating the legal system. The ICE officers are seizing individuals as soon as they leave courtrooms, which has resulted in heightened anxiety and urgency among families and their advocates.
Masked ICE agents have been noted for apprehending individuals immediately after their court appearances, which has prompted an increase in online documentation of these arrests. Despite the ongoing arrests and challenges faced by volunteers, most have continued to participate without incident. However, some volunteers have been arrested for obstructing ICE operations; notable instances include New York City Comptroller Brad Lander's arrest while attempting to prevent a detention.
The act of volunteering has proven essential as families are left wondering about the whereabouts of their loved ones, who can disappear into a complex detention system without any immediate information. For instance, Rev. Fabián Arias, a volunteer observer, recounted an encounter with a distressed woman while he attempted to assist her in locating her husband, who had been detained by ICE despite a pending legal case. This situation reflects a growing concern among advocates, city officials, and lawmakers regarding the treatment of immigrants in the court system.
Individuals like Brianna Garcia, a college student from El Paso, Texas, are stepping up to attend immigration hearings and inform attendees of their rights prior to their possible detentions. Volunteers across different cities, like Paris Thomas in Denver, have been seen distributing flyers outlining individuals’ rights while providing emotional support and guidance. Denver volunteer Don Marsh stated that their proactive approach aims to ensure that immigrant rights are preserved amidst the ongoing crisis of unidentifiable government agents detaining individuals without notice.
This mass volunteer effort aims to create a supportive presence for immigrants at risk of detention while raising awareness about the implications of ICE actions in immigration courts. As these individuals continue to navigate a system marked by uncertainty and fear, the solidarity exhibited by volunteers remains a crucial lifeline.
