8 things you can do right now in Kent County to be in solidarity with immigrant communities
The Trump Administration is continuing to expand the role and function of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which is causing tremendous panic in immigrant communities, even fueling xenophobic hatred that resonates with his base of supporters.
Last week Trump announced his intent to use the prison at Guantanamo Bay as an addition place to detain undocumented immigrants. Drop Site News reported on this dynamic and noted that the Biden Administration had paved the way for Trump to use the prison at Guantanamo Bay for this purpose.
In addition, the Trump Administration is developing allies in Latin America, specifically in Panama and El Salvador, as Democracy Now! Has reported.
While it is difficult to have an impact on the anti-immigration policies that involve other countries, we can take steps to do things right here in West Michigan to practice solidarity with affected communities.
- People, particularly allies, should follow Movimiento Cosecha GR, learn from them and support their work, both in person, and financially.
- Those of us who are NOT part of the affected communities, need to find ways to center their voices and their live experiences and not make it about us and what we think is best for those who are being targeted by ICE.
- People should follow GR Rapid Response to ICE, which is Cosecha’s partner organization, which does the defensive work to try and minimize the harm that is being done to immigrant communities. Follow them on Facebook, communicate with them via info@grrapidsreponsetoice.org, and attend one of their monthly trainings. As of right now, the February and March trainings are booked, so be patient with that group as they are an all volunteer organization that has no funding.
- Support the ongoing efforts of Movimiento Cosecha and GR Rapid Response to ICE to get the City of Grand Rapids, the Grand Rapids Public Schools and Kent County to adopt Sanctuary policies. Attend the Kent County Commission meeting on Thursday, February 13th at 8:30am.
- There are Action Alerts for each of these three governing bodies, which you can sign here. For Kent County, for the City of Grand Rapids, and for the Grand Rapids Public Schools.
- If you are part of a faith community, you can declare yourself as Sanctuary and publicly defy the Trump Administration’s plans to engage in mass deportation. GR Rapid Response to ICE has people who have been part of the Sanctuary Movement and can assist in the process of being a Sanctuary. Here are some toolkits for faith communities who are interested in becoming a Sanctuary.
https://neumc-email.brtapp.com/files/fileshare/sanctuary+movement+toolkit+(umc).pdf
https://www.uua.org/files/pdf/s/sanctuary-toolkit-2017.pdf
7. People can also support the Kent Community I-Bond Fund, which provides funds to bond people out of detention while they are waiting for a court date. You can donate to this fund by making checks out to I-Bond Fund Joy Like a River — Kent I bond Fund and mailing them to 33 College Ave Se, Grand Rapids, MI 49503.
8. You can assist GR Rapid Response to ICE with distributing, “What to Do if ICE shows Up”, cards. These cards, which are in Spanish and English, provide tips to immigrants on what to do when ICE shows up, plus there is a phone number that they can call if they want people who have been trained to mobilize and prevent ICE from arresting, detaining and deporting those in the affected community. 616-238-0081 This number is only to be used by those in the affected community that are being approached by ICE at their home, workplace, etc.
Lastly, you can learn more about the history of US immigration policy. GR Rapid Response to ICE provides presentations and classes for groups that want to explore this history, which is rooted in discrimination and xenophobia. Contact GR Rapids Response to ICE if you are interested at info@grrapidsreponsetoice.org
Grand Rapids Institute for Information Democracy 
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