More than two dozen businesses in Rhode Island have established "immigrant defense zones," pledging to close their doors to federal immigration agents without a judicial warrant. As of July 18, 25 businesses have joined this initiative, supported by the Rhode Island Deportation Defense Coalition. The coalition, which includes various community organizations, will verify ICE sightings and mobilize volunteers to protect immigrant community members. Signs indicating defense zones will be placed in business windows, providing a hotline to report ICE activity and ensuring awareness and support within the community.
More than two dozen businesses in Rhode Island are part of a new network of 'immigrant defense zones,' where doors will be closed to federal immigration agents.
As of July 18, 25 businesses had pledged to protect immigrant community members, including by closing their doors and refusing entry to immigration officials who do not have a judicial warrant.
ICE agents can enter public areas of a business but cannot breach any private areas without permission or a judicial warrant, according to the National Immigration Law Center.
The coalition sends volunteers to verify ICE sightings, and if there is an active ICE abduction taking place, the wider network is notified to mobilize and protect community members.
Collection
[
|
...
]