Online Training: What to Do If ICE Shows Up
- Hawai‘i Conference
- Apr 30
- 2 min read
The Justice and Witness Missional Team sponsored an online training to equip our churches in case of an encounter with Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE), whether at our churches or in our communities.
On April 24 via Zoom, presenters from The Legal Clinic shared practical information to inform and prepare us so that we can ensure our churches remain places of safety, sanctuary, and support.
Some tips to highlight:
Be vigilant. Watch for new, unfamiliar faces. ICE agents often come in groups, sometimes in plain clothes. Don't be too forthcoming with information about people. Be welcoming, but cautious!
Use signage to define public/private spaces on your campus. ICE cannot enter private spaces. The church is technically private property.
If agents cannot present a judicial warrant (signed by a judge), they really have no business being there. You do not have to respond to their requests. You may ignore them or politely ask them to leave.
Ensure your "frontline" folks (ushers, greeters, leaders, volunteers, office workers) know this stuff!
Resources shared:
"Red Card" printable templates (Hawai‘i languages)
The "red cards", which were mentioned in the presentation, are small enough to keep with you on the go. They list your constitutional rights and also statements that you can tell ICE agents in an encounter. BUT the beauty of having the physical card is that you can just show it to ICE agents and not have to speak to them. You can print these cards for free using the templates and distribute them to people in your community.
A recording of the presentation is available for churches. Please email media@hcucc.org and identify your affiliation to request the link to the recording.
