Photo by Jillian Lovett / ProBonoPhoto
Protecting Our Neighbors
The IPA+ Immigrant Rights team, launched in July 2025, meets monthly to organize various projects aimed at protecting immigrant neighbors from the threat of arrest, detention, and deportation. Areas of focus include distributing Know Your Rights cards and other resources, business canvassing to help companies create safe spaces for immigrant employees, and helping to monitor ICE activity in communities such as East Palo Alto.
Meet the Immigration Rights Team
From supporting Rapid Response Networks to engaging in community outreach, the IPA+ Immigrant Right team is working to counter ICE abuses and to defend constitutional rights.
RESOURCES
Below is a list of publicly available resources to help support immigrants in our community. Laws in this field change quickly. Use these resources only as a starting point, and not as a substitute for legal advice.
Know Your Rights | Immigrants
Immigrants have certain constitutionally protected rights. Because Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents often attempt to ignore those rights, providing immigrants with clear, easily accessible information about their rights is essential. Here are reference materials for immigrants and other interested parties.
- Know Your Rights: If ICE Confronts You (ACLU of Northern California)
- Know Your Rights Red Cards in every language (Immigrant Legel Resource Center)
- Know Your Rights When Confronted by ICE flyer (Immigrant Legel Resource Center)
- A Guide for Employers pamphlet (Immigrant Legel Resource Center)
Know Your Rights | Protesters
Protesters who are immigrants or who are supporting immigrants have constitutional rights as well. Here are resources that describe protesters’ rights.
- Know Your Rights: Immigrants Participation in Protests (National Immigration Law Center)
- Protesters’ Rights guide (ACLU)
Prepare for ICE Emergencies
Immigrants can make sure that they are ready to act if ICE or other federal agents detain a member of their household. Here are resources to help with this effort.
Use Rapid Response Hotlines
Rapid response networks (RRNs) respond to ICE raids and detentions in our communities. Upon learning of reported activity, an RRN will immediately dispatch trained legal observers. If an immigrant is detained, an RRN will work to provide free legal assistance.
In the Bay Area, RRN hotlines are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Each Bay Area county has its own RRN hotline.
- Santa Clara County RRN | 408-290-1144
- San Mateo County RRN | 203-666-4472
- San Francisco County RRN | 415-200-1548
False reports of ICE presence cause panic. Please do not share unverified ICE alerts. Instead, notify the appropriate RRN through its hotline number.
Access Detainee and Case Information
Reaching people who have been detained by ICE can be difficult. Here are tools that can help with that process.
Respond to ICE Activity
Community members can support immigrant rights by helping to record and report ICE activity in their area. Here are tools for providing that support.
- “How to Film ICE” (Wired magazine)
- Report Misconduct by Federal Agents (Office of California Attorney General)