resources

trainings and other resources

Helpful resources

  1. “Mutual Aid: Building Solidarity During This Crisis (And the next)” by Dean Spade
  2. Shareable Mutual Aid Toolkit: https://www.shareable.net/toolkit/mutual-aid-toolkit/
  3. Know Your Rights resources by ACLU
  4. NJAIJ’s Know Your Rights Virtual Training Series
  5. Indivisible’s Delaney Hall and Beyond- Showing Up Strategically
  6. ACLU’s 3-minute training What To Do When ICE Is At Your Door
  1. Rapid response hotline: 1-888-347-3767
    • Call this number if you see ICE activity. When calling, remember SALUTE:
      • Size: How many agents or vehicles are present?
      • Action/Activity: What are they doing? (e.g., questioning, searching)
      • Location: Specific address, intersection, or landmarks
      • Uniform/Unit: What are they wearing? Are there visible agency markings?
      • Time: What time and date was the activity observed?
      • Equipment: Are they using weapons, cameras, or specialized tools? 
    • It’s also helpful if you can send photos or video if it’s safe for you to do so.
  2. DIRE and Cosecha offer rapid response trainings. It’s recommended that you attend a training in-person with either one of these organizations or a local group before attempting to confront ICE officers. These trainings are also excellent for giving context and understanding the rapid response process in NJ.
  3. Resources for immigrant communities and families of detainees
    • DIRE: Know Your Rights
    • Cosecha Toolkit: Find detainees within the detention system and how to get updates on the status of loved ones in custody.
  4. ICE List: Keeps a record of immigration enforcement activity
  5. Know Your Rights cards:

other organizations to learn About

First Friends of NJ & NY is doing work down at Delaney Hall where detainees are too often given spoiled food and families of detainees have to jump through hoops just to see their loves ones. In addition to giving out supermarket gift cards and aid to the families visiting detainees, they are looking for volunteers to visit with those detained who have no family around, as well as drivers who can take people to Delaney Hall to visit their loved ones. 

Communities Not Cages is an initiative by the Detention Watch Network that is working to stop the expansion of immigrant detention centers and uplift communities instead.

Adopt a Corner is a call to find the places near you where immigrants gather and may be at risk of being targeted or harassed. This could be places with large immigrant working populations, shopping centers such as Target or Home Depot parking lots, or street corners in your community. Show up, build relationships, and learn what you can do to stand with your neighbors.

DIRE has monthly Rapid Response Trainings and supports immigrant detainees and families of detainees throughout NJ. Please be sure you have the DIRE HOTLINE in your phone, in case you witness any ICE activity.  I’ve put their number in my phone. 1-888-347-3767

Cosecha is an organization on the ground doing a lot of rapid response trainings and other support for immigrant communities.

SOMA Action is a very active pro-democracy group in South Orange and Maplewood.

Comunidad Latina De Orange y West Orange is helpful for anyone who speaks Spanish. They are doing some work coordinating with local clergy, canvassing local businesses about how to keep our undocumented neighbors safe, getting Know Your Rights protocols to those most vulnerable in our towns, and compiling a list of immigrant owned local businesses to share so we can support them and create solidarity with them. 

The Huub continues a long tradition of good works through both regular programming and collaborations with community and partners in Orange, and throughout Essex County.  Alongside University of Orange, partners include the LANBI Center for Humanities and Civics and the Laundry Workers Center, both of which are immigrant rights and education organizations. Together, they work toward a more informed and equitable vision of our home. 

University of Orange  is a free school of restoration urbanism in Orange, NJ founded in 2008 and building on a 64-year history of progressive organizing in the city. They offer free courses, work in local coalitions to promote education across the lifecycle, and advocate for equity in urban planning. They work to solve the problems of our world by learning to see the richness of our cities, becoming lifelong learners, participating in civic life, and having fun with our neighbors.

Pax Christi NJ advocates and provides leadership for disarmament, demilitarization and reconciliation with justice, inclusiveness, economic and interracial justice, human rights and care of creation.

Mutual Orange

Montclair Solidarity

Lanbi Center for Humanities and Civics The word LANBI (pronounced lan-bee) is written in Haitian Creole. Lanbi, which means conch shell, symbolizes a special usefulness in the Haitian and Caribbean culture. During the Haitian Revolution (1791-1803), the lanbi was used as an instrument to rally and galvanize the people in support of ending slavery and achieving Independence. Today, through the creation of the LANBI Center for Humanities and Civics, the “conch shell” will serve as a trumpet to awaken disenfranchised constituents in Northern New Jersey.

Laundry Workers Center Laundry Worker’s Center is a grassroot  non-profit organization that advocates and provides leadership development to improve low-wage immigrant workers’ living and working  conditions in the food service, laundry, and warehouse workers through the organizing process. 

New Jersey Alliance For Immigrant Justice  NJAIJ is the largest immigration coalition in the state, comprised of groups that span labor, faith, policy, community-based, and grassroots organizations. Together, they use the power and strength of membership to position immigrants as leaders in campaigns that advance justice, inclusion, and belonging.

American Families United envisions an America where its citizens are free to marry someone they love without being forced to choose between their country and marriage, knowing their families can remain together and live with dignity regardless of their spouse’s immigration status.

WO Hispanic Heritage Foundation is an active local group in West Orange. Empower, unite and celebrate the Hispanic community in W.O. & neighboring towns.

Wind of the Spirit are people of faith directly affected by of immigration, working together to promote a humane immigration policy through education, organizing, and grassroots advocacy.

ICE out of NJ We are working to end collaboration between NJ law enforcement and ICE, and ultimately to drive ICE out of New Jersey.