From annexing other countries to mass deportation, the months since President Trump’s inauguration have been so full of fear-filled claims that it’s hard to sort out the facts. Internet users are now tasked with acting as independent journalists, attempting to use Instagram to inform the people of political threats, just like Paul Revere.
Many of us have seen infographics warning of I.C.E. (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) raids nearby. One screenshot describing a horrifying scene in the Eureka Winco caused an uproar in our community before being debunked. The screenshot warned that I.C.E. had made its way into our community and was detaining people publicly based on skin color or perceived ethnicity.
“I think people are compelled to repost that kind of stuff really quickly when they see it as a result of the weird ‘you need to help spread this or you’re a bad person’ sentiment that appeared a bit ago,” Anthony Vasek said. Vasek is a reporter for NSPR (North State Public Radio) and The Orion, as well as a beloved Pepperbox alum. Part of his job is reporting on I.C.E. activity in Northern California, and he has felt the effects of the surge of false reports.
Though well-intentioned, those panic posts cause a huge delay for journalists who are responsible for pushing reliable information to the public.
“A lot of reporters spend most of their work hours emailing and calling people to confirm or deny information so they can write an article that explains the consequences of whatever they’re writing about,” Vasek said.
“Most people aren’t even reading the article (that they reposted). Just posting about it after entirely guessing what it means based on the headline. Or, even better, getting a poorly summarized, potentially disinformation-filled version of it from TikTok.” Vasek said.
False reports weigh on reporters, sure, but they weigh even heavier on undocumented members of our community who are already on edge. If you intend to help vulnerable people right now, don’t cause unnecessary panic by spreading unverified claims. Our neighbors deserve to go to the grocery store without being afraid of this week’s rage bait.
If you believe that you see I.C.E. agents, vehicles, or other activity in person, note as many details as you can and call our local Rapid Response Network (707-200-8091) to report the sighting. RRNs are a needed link between activism and journalism and calling will be your best bet for getting your report to the public without causing undue panic.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS:
First and foremost, it’s important to be aware of local laws designating Humboldt as a sanctuary county. This means that no immigration task force can use our law enforcement or resources to enforce the detention of undocumented immigrants. It also means that local law enforcement cannot ask you about your immigration status.
It is both legal and common for I.C.E. to lie to you about who they are or why they are there. They commonly pose as local law enforcement. However, it is a crime for you to lie to a law enforcement officer during an investigation. If you are afraid that you may incriminate yourself, your best bet is to stay silent and potentially request a lawyer. Many RRNs offer low-cost or even free legal services.
Additionally, there has been a lot of anxiety surrounding I.C.E. entering schools. It was previously illegal for I.C.E. to conduct investigations inside schools, places of worship, or hospitals. Less than 24 hours after his inauguration, President Trump signed an executive order to overturn these protections. A terrifying step in the wrong direction, but there are still several safety nets in place.
I.C.E. will often present a warrant before conducting enforcement, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to let them in. The most common warrant that they will have is known as an “administrative” warrant, granted by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). These warrants are typically warrants for arrest, but they do not grant officers the right to enter or search a residence or business. To be allowed entry, they must present a judicial warrant signed by a judge. Judicial warrants will be specific about the property that must be searched and contain a range of dates that searches may be conducted.
Unless a judicial warrant requests a student’s private records, California law requires that the school obtain written permission from the student’s legal guardian before releasing that information to anyone.
Although it feels like our protections at a federal level are dwindling, there are still resources available on campus.
In room 202, there are “red cards” listing our constitutional rights for interacting with immigration/law enforcement. It gives you pre-written statements highlighting your rights as stated in the Constitution and citing different amendments. There are also expanded versions of the red cards, in the form of a packet.
Our campus also provides mental health services in the form of a Crisis Counselor and Social worker for anybody who may need support.
