The Rapid Response Network will provide advance and immediate notifications of any reported ICE activity in the city.
The Welcome Project is launching the Somerville Response Network, a text message service providing advanced and immediate notice of federal ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) raids in Somerville.
“The Rapid Response Network is more than just an action plan,” says Development Coordinator for the Welcome Project Kenia Alfaro. “There is a lot of fear in our immigrant communities. Though we can’t puta halt to the actions of the federal government, we can be prepared to help families in our city affected by ICE arrests or deportation move forward in the face of uncertainty.”
The system is simple: if you observe a raid, text 617-863-7783 and be as specific as possible, including your location. A team of volunteers will verify the information anonymously and, if confirmed, will send a message to the entire network.
Rapid Response allows advocates who are not at risk of deportation to mobilize in support, either by going to the scene directly or coordinating resources in the aftermath of a raid.
“The goal of the Rapid Response plan is to try and keep families together,” says Executive Director of the Welcome Project Ben Echevarria. “We will alert the community to ICE activity in our community. Some may decide to stay away from the area, while others will go to the scene to protest and help those impacted by the raid.”
In addition to providing notifications, Rapid Response will connect targeted families with resources, such as trauma counseling, interpreters, food and supportive services.
Last month’s immigration actions in California suggest that advance notification can make a big difference in terms of protecting communities at risk of deportation. The “Safe City” operation last September — which rounded up 498 undocumented immigrants in cities across the country, including 50 in Massachusetts — shows that the Boston suburbs are hardly exempt when it comes to ICE action.
In his 2018 inaugural address, Mayor Joe Curtatone emphasized Somerville’s commitment as a sanctuary city.
“Many immigrant families have been plunged into fear and chaos and we have rallied to support them,” he said. “I want to say to anyone who finds themselves or a loved one or someone they know fighting against the cold-hearted and craven immigration policies of our current President — contact us. You are not alone.”
Somerville has operated under the Trust Act Ordinance since 2014, which prohibits law enforcement from detaining individuals on the basis of a civil immigration detainer alone.
You do not have to speak Spanish, Portuguese or Haitian Creole to be a member of the Rapid Response Network.
The Welcome Project is seeking volunteers of all backgrounds to help widen access to the network. Training is ongoing and the next organizing meeting will be held at the Welcome Project (530 Mystic Ave.) from 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, March 28.
The service goes live this month and organizers are seeking subscribers at www.somervilleresponse.org. If interested in volunteering, email volunteer@welcomeproject.org.