24-hour hotline now offers live support during immigration enforcement activity in San Diego County
Edited from a Network Press Statement:
On December 19th, interfaith leaders and a diverse cross section of organizations launched the San Diego Rapid Response Network, an interconnected system of hundreds of community members who as volunteer responders gathered to pledge their commitment to protecting community members who are undocumented. They were responding to dehumanizing immigration enforcement activities in San Diego County. The gathering took place at Saint Jude’s Shrine of the West near Barrio Logan.
Norma Chavez-Peterson, executive director of the ACLU of San Diego, one of the member organizations, stated:
“This country has flourished with each generation of newcomers because immigrants bring with them innovation, vitality, resilience and strength. The San Diego Rapid Response Network helps to defend those values. We urge everyone to join this effort whether it’s by volunteering, monitoring immigration enforcement activities in your communities or sharing information about the Rapid Respond Network with anyone you think may be affected.”
The Rapid Response Network follows models already in place in San Francisco, Sacramento and Los Angeles.
Anyone can call the 24-hour hotline at 619-536-0823 to report immigration enforcement activity, including checkpoints, raids, arrests and harassment across San Diego County. Trained volunteer dispatchers will verify reports and announce false alarms to dispel rumors. If immigration authorities detain an individual, responders will connect the family with non-profit and volunteer immigration attorneys to assist with legal representation.
In the coming weeks, volunteers will go door-to-door to inform local families of newly available resources. The Rapid Response Network will also offer regular workshops in 2018 to train more volunteers and educate immigrant families about their rights. So far more than 150 community leaders have received training to become rapid responders and dispatchers.
Katia Ortiz, rapid response coordinator with the San Diego Organizing Project, stated:
“Each person volunteering for the Rapid Response Network has shown tremendous courage, heroism and dedication to the belief that no person deserves to live in fear of separation from their family. Now, we have a new way to stand united and share resources that empower us to take care of each other.”
Local grassroots leaders say many of San Diego’s immigrant communities feel terrorized and afraid to call police for assistance. In October, the acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) declared it will quadruple workplace raids and continue to target undocumented immigrants outside courthouses. According to government figures, ICE arrests increased by 25 percent this fiscal year compared to last year.
The coalition of grassroots organizations that form the core of the San Diego Rapid Response Network includes the San Diego Organizing Project, ACLU of San Diego and Imperial Counties, Employee Rights Center, Jewish Family Service of San Diego and SEIU Local 221. More than 40 organizations partner with the Rapid Response Network in a myriad of ways based on their capacity.
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