CBP and ICE is headed to Charlotte, NC

COmmunity

ProTection

Toolkit

COMMUNITY PROTECTION TOOLKIT

ATTENTION CHARLLOTE AREA

How to Organize ICE & CBP Resistance in Your Neighborhood

This toolkit is based on what has worked in Chicago and New York City as communities organize to keep their neighbors safe and informed—and as we prepare for reassignment to Charlotte.

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EARLY WARNING & ALERTS

  • Set up neighborhood alert systems (whistles, texts, group chats)

  • Share vehicle descriptions and locations in real time

  • Create hotlines for people to report ICE/CBP presence

  • Post signs: “ICE/CBP: No entry without judicial warrant” on homes and businesses

    (One Chicago neighborhood distributed over 10,000 whistles to help alert neighbors quickly.)

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COMMUNITY SAFETY PATROLS

  • Be present around schools during drop-off and pickup

  • Escort vulnerable neighbors to work, appointments, and transit

  • Monitor high-risk areas in volunteer shifts

  • Consider wearing identifiable arm bands to easily identify eachother

  • Use trained legal observers to document interactions on video

    (HUNDREDS of volunteers in Chicago-area communities are doing this every day.)

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MUTUAL AID & SUPPORT

  • Deliver groceries and essentials to families afraid to leave home

  • Support street vendors (buy them out so they can go home safely)

  • Create community funds for bail, legal fees, and lost wages

  • Organize childcare cooperatives so parents can attend court, appointments, and meetings

  • Spend money at businesses likely inherently affected by ICE/CBP presence.

    (If people can’t safely come to us, we go to them.)

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KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

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BUSINESSES & INSTITUTIONS

  • Refuse to voluntarily share space or resources with ICE/CBP when you are not legally required to

  • Move to online-only or modified operations when staff or customers feel unsafe

  • Post sanctuary/support signage clearly and visibly

  • Work with landlords, faith communities, and nonprofits to protect vulnerable tenants and community members

    (Small businesses in Chicago are showing that united action matters.)

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WHAT YOU CAN DO TODAY

  • Join or start a local rapid response or support team

  • Buy whistles in bulk and distribute them (often under $1 each)

  • Print and share “Know Your Rights” cards in multiple languages

  • Create secure group chats for your block or building

  • Volunteer to escort neighbors or deliver groceries and supplies

  • Donate to community bail and legal defense funds

  • Get trained as a legal observer

  • SHARE this information so other cities can organize too

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THIS IS WORKING

  • Chicago organizers are going viral and inspiring others

  • Federal actions have been challenged and blocked in court

  • Neighbors are protecting neighbors every single day

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KEY PRINCIPLES

  • These tactics are intended to be legal and constitutional

  • Communities have the power to protect their own

  • Defending immigrants defends EVERYONE’s civil liberties

  • We protect neighbors, not papers

  • Solidarity is our strength

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NATIONAL & Local RESOURCES

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REMEMBER

  • You have rights. Your neighbors have rights.

  • ICE/CBP cannot enter your home without a judicial warrant signed by a judge.

  • Administrative warrants are NOT enough.

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HOW TO PLUG IN

  • SHARE this post to spread these strategies

  • TAG local immigrant rights organizations and mutual aid groups

  • COMMENT with what your community is already doing

  • SAVE this page to reference later

We are stronger together. When we organize, we win.


Donations are appreciated to help generate and distribute materials and kits.


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