Respond to immigration enforcement actions.
THISL volunteers on this team are trained by the WA Immigrant Solidarity Network (WAISN), which also requires that volunteers sign an agreement. WAISN conducts a background check as part of the volunteer vetting.
The WAISN volunteer agreement echoes this verbage from the WAISN website: “Volunteers are trained to not obstruct, resist, hinder, impede, or interfere with any law enforcement officer in the execution of their duties. Our volunteers do not aid or abet any avoidance of immigration enforcement, and we do not shelter or transport people for any such purpose, nor do they provide legal advice.”
When the WAISN hotline number is called for an action in Thurston county, this team is made aware (the team will also self deploy if made aware of ICE presence ). The team go to the site of the enforcement activity to document the encounter and attempt to contact the family or friends of anyone detained, and address any property (e.g.vehicles) left behind, and put the family/friends in touch with AGUA and Vecinos Unidos. The documentation can assist in any legal proceedings down the road.
Necessary for this work: a reasonably open schedule and ability to respond quickly, ability to keep cool and calm in a hard situation and to gather facts and document the situation, reliable transportation.
This team will also, upon request, provide support at sensitive events to provide reassurance to vulnerable community members.
Contact thisl.washington@proton.me or take a WAISN rapid response training to get involved in this activity.