Winter Is Coming

Authoritarianism Surfaces in an Advice Column

Over at Ask a Manager is a post titled "What to Do if ICE Agents Come to Your Workplace." It is sad to have to say this as an American, but I highly recommend reading it and perusing the comments. Both contain information that can be helpful to individuals concerned about being arbitrarily detained.

You or someone you care about might need it.

Alison Green notes one reason one needn't be in management to be concerned:

As an employee, you may be more limited, especially if management isn't supportive. Many places, especially large corporations, are adopting a neutral position towards ICE's activities, which effectively means letting them operate unchecked. Employees can leave Know Your Rights (KYR) info in staff areas for people to take. Try to get in touch with your local ICE Watch or immigrant rights groups as well. Many of them are sending out alerts when ICE is active in a particular area, so you can be aware if they're near your place of business. [bold added]

On top of the value of the post itself are some of the comments, such as this one:

One of the executives at the hospital I work for has spoken out to the employees about being personally 'asked for papers' multiple times by masked agents. He is Latino but is US-born and has a distinctly Chicago accent. He carries not only his Real ID but also his passport. However, a former colleague in DC had his passport confiscated by ICE even though he is American, so you may prefer to carry the passport card instead if that is a concern.

Having your identification doesn't necessarily establish for them that you are an American. A number of cases have involved ICE hauling off someone even though they are screaming that they are a citizen and have ID. Some people have not been released for several hours or days. Another coworker disclosed that her US-born son was swept up in a raid while delivering groceries and not released for a couple days.

If you may be at risk, memorize a phone number you can call for assistance, like a legal representative or someone who can find one for you. In our time of cell phones you want something you can access when you don't have yours. (During protests, generally using a permanent marker to write it on your arm is recommended.) Keep your emergency contact person updated at your workplace, if you haven't already. [bold added]

Other commenters offer additional sources of advice or assistance, such as for non-work settings or for specific locales that have better warning and assistance measures than most.

-- CAV