A coalition of 50 local community groups and non-profit organizations in
Sonoma and Napa counties has formed the
North Bay Rapid Response Network, which operates a 24-hour, seven days per week, hotline and rapid response
network to help defend undocumented immigrants against actions by Immigration
and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. Service initially launched in Sonoma
County, as training is still ongoing in Napa County, where the network
soon will offer service, as well. The network already has trained 24 dispatchers
and over 400 trained legal observers. Online software permits the dispatcher
on duty to answer emergency hotline calls from his or her cell phone.
The dispatcher then enters the geographic location of the reported immigration
raid, and immediately gets a map showing the location of the nearest legal
observers. The dispatcher then contacts the nearest observers by text
message to alert them of the raid. Bilingual dispatchers with the network
will answer calls to the hotline and send trained legal observers to document
ICE raids, whether they occur in private homes, in the workplace, in neighborhoods,
or in other public places. Observers will be trained to collect evidence
that may be useful in defending immigrants against deportation, such as
ICE agents who fail to get a warrant before entering a private home without
the consent of the homeowners. To that extent that ICE detains individuals,
observers will get details about the situation and the detainees’
locations in order to allow lawyers to contact them and provide legal
assistance. Teams from the network also will accompany families of detainees
to court proceedings and help them navigate the immigration court system.
The deportation defense lawyers of
Landerholm Immigration, A.P.C.
continue to handle deportation defense claims on behalf of individuals
who have been detained and charged with removal. We know how devastating
it can be for individuals to face the potential of being forced to return
to a country where they previously were persecuted, where they no longer
have family or a home, or where they will experience significant violence
and unrest. We care about you and your family, and we want to help you
remain in the country. Call our office today to set up your legal consultation.
Categories:
Starting June 1, 2020, we are open for in-person consultations! We have social distancing protocols in place to keep everyone safe.
Please DOWNLOAD our FREE GUIDE for Immigrants to THRIVE during the COVID-19 Pandemic ( English / Español )!