The holiday season is always a time of joy and celebration. Now the holidays are right around the corner, and for some, even coming together can be dangerous. Fear of arrest and deportation haunts those both with and without documents. As of September, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are allowed to question potential undocumented individuals based on appearance, location, and language. This means that in communities with large latino populations, gathering becomes dangerous.
For example, in Chicago, towns were forced to cancel their Halloween and Day of the Dead celebrations in fear of residents being detained. ICE agents do not think about who else other than their target demographic might be at risk as they move into neighborhoods with the intent of detaining anyone they perceive as a “threat.”
Democratic Governor JB Pritzker of Illinois even asked for ICE to step back and cease their “Operation Midway Blitz” during the Halloween weekend, pleading, “if you are unwilling to cease operations and leave our city, can we at least agree that our children should not be victims, especially on Halloween?” ICE ignored his pleas, continuing their aggressive arrest tactics. Similarly, in Chicago and in Philadelphia earlier this year, Cinco de Mayo parades were called off, as well as some July 4th gatherings in Los Angeles.
The organization’s reign of terror does not stop at any big city: ICE has raided countless small communities, with the amount of individuals–many without any criminal records–in detention centers nearly reaching 60,000. One of these small communities includes our own, Rhinebeck, where RHS graduate Gerson Turcios was detained on July 18th. How long until we, too, will have to cease annual celebrations in fear of ICE arrests?
These raids have devastating effects on areas with latino populations. Outside of gatherings, many community centers are becoming deserted: “Parks in heavily Hispanic neighborhoods — where families often met up for play dates and intimate celebrations — are now quieter than usual as many choose to stay out of public spaces,” reports news outlet Bloomberg.
So what can we do to help? The October 18th No Kings protests, in which thousands of individuals rallied against the current administration as well as ICE, undoubtedly made a mark, especially in areas whose voices may not be heard otherwise. Peaceful protests must be encouraged and happen more often if we want to make a difference and furthermore force congress to defund ICE.
It is important to know your rights, and exercise them if necessary. People should be cautious of masked officers claiming to be police or attempting to create conflict. If someone is undocumented, they have the right to remain silent about their immigration status. ICE agents also cannot legally enter a home without a warrant.
If someone you know has been detained and needs financial support for court costs, setting up a fundraiser and encouraging community donations can help. The only way to push back against mass deportations is to stay united and not allow fear to erase the traditions and freedoms this country was built on. The holidays are meant to be a time of gathering, celebrating, and feeling safe with family and community. No one should have to choose between honoring their traditions and protecting their safety.
