As the U.S. eclipses the first year of Donald Trump’s second term, immigrants in the country as well as many who have attained temporary legal status or work standing, and reportedly even some American citizens have been thrown into a world of deportation chaos and legal turmoil.

From day one of the Trump administration, men, women and even children who have previously sought refuge in the ‘land of the free’ in their search for peace and prosperity—have lived here, worked, paid taxes, raised families but are suddenly experiencing their freedom, civil rights and dignity stripped from them.

While many in the U.S. are speaking out, resisting and documenting the unwarranted detainments, a growing number of Americans consider masked ICE agents as traitors to the Constitution—even cowards, but the arrests and abductions continue.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has historically stepped up to fight corruption of power—their work on behalf of civil rights for all Americans continues but the daily work has escalated in its urgency.

Even though the intimidation and fear for many in our country is at an all-time high, the ACLU of Arizona is providing educational, informative meet-ups through a sense of community awareness in the Valley for those confused by what their rights are and how to address specific questions.

ACLU Community Organizer, Harrison Redmond, provided Northeast Valley News with insight as to how the ACLU has continued to provide ways to keep undocumented citizens equipped with enough information in order to keep themselves out of harm’s way.

“You cannot build a revolution with no education… listening, engaged, wanting to learn more and stay involved, is a testament to the central premise that it lives on today,” Redmond said.

Knowing how to interact with ICE is just the beginning:

• Exercise your rights calmly and do not escalate the situation.
• Do not over-share information, even if the agent seems friendly.
• ICE cannot enter private spaces without: A judicial warrant signed by a judge, permission from property owner, specific probable cause.

With more events and learning seminars set to be lined up soon, ACLU of Arizona is working to build a strong foundation within the Valley in order to protect the community.

Immigrant’s Rights and Border Policy Strategist at the ACLU of Arizona, Noah Schramm, along with Redmond have found that engaging people in unconventional settings such as a tattoo shop has allowed the ACLU of Arizona to reach more people than before.

At the early evening event, they engaged attendees with a keen focus on immigrant’s rights and ways to keep individuals and families safe while also covering current laws at the federal and state level and how to best meet “the moment we’re in.”

The event called, Marked by Resistance—Immigrants Rights (KYR) & Tattoo Flash Event ACLU of Arizona, held a community conversation about ways to protect self and family.

Schramm told Northeast Valley News, “We have a lot of connections with local groups and business in the community… whether it’s coffee shops, bars, and even tattoo shops.”

Emphasizing the importance of civil resistance, the speakers highlighted the need for building up community, one event, one informational, conversational meet-up at a time.

“I think that what we’re doing now, not necessarily prioritizing, but really focusing on, like smaller events like this is, this is where people are, you know, able to come in after work, and it meets people where they’re at, rather than having them, you know, come to some other big event,” Redmond said.

As the ACLU of Arizona continues their community meet-up event tours around the Valley, the men and women in attendance as well as the organizers have a clear mission—protect hard working immigrants from being separated from their families and live without fear of deportation.

The Immigrants’ Rights and Tattoo Flash Event gave 100% of its proceeds from flash tattoos done, both during the event and throughout the entire day and will go toward helping families facing deportation, immigration attorney fees, and mutual aid.