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In the current United States immigration climate, raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) are becoming more common. Although it’s really scary to think that ICE could stop, try to question, or even detain people close to you, it’s important to remember that you are not alone. There are many people in communities across the U.S. that want to help! Community Rapid Response Networks have been created to connect you to organizations, attorneys, and community members that are offering their services to help in emergency situations with law enforcement. 

When can I call a Rapid Response Network? 

  • To report ICE activity (if you see ICE in your neighborhood/on the street). 
  • If ICE knocks on your door or stops you. 
  • If ICE detains a family member or loved one.  

What kind of services do Rapid Response Networks offer? 

  • 📞 Hotlines: 
      • Most Rapid Response Networks have a phone number that you can call. You can call the number to report ICE presence in your community, to tell them that ICE has stopped you and you need help, or to ask for help connecting to local legal resources. 
  • 👀 Community Observers: 
      • Community observers show up at the site of an ICE interaction/arrest. They take notes and document the interaction with the goal of helping you with your legal court case. Your attorney could find any information about the interaction useful (such as the ICE officer badge number, what they say to you, if your rights are being respected, etc.) to represent you in court as best as they can. Community observers are usually U.S. Citizens that can help collect this information for you without fear of being detained.
  • 👩🏽‍⚖️ Legal assistance:
      • If you are detained by ICE, many Rapid Response Networks have networks of local pro bono or low-cost attorneys. They will try to connect you with legal assistance to help you with your case. 
  • 🫂 Emotional support:
      • Rapid Response Networks can connect you with trained community members that can act as accompaniment teams. Accompaniment teams are U.S. Citizens who can safely go with you to the court or to other meetings with law enforcement. They are not attorneys and they can’t give you legal advice, but they can make the experience less scary by being there with you. They can also offer support and accompaniment to your family members if you are detained.  

Note: To learn more about your rights in an encounter with ICE, check out our infographic.  

Things to keep in mind when calling a rapid response network: 

  • Most network are bilingual or speak multiple languages. 
  • Some of the networks only have one person to answer the phone. If the phone line is busy, it probably means they are on the line with someone else. Try calling back.  

Rapid Response Networks are growing, and more and more are being created. In the list below, we share some Rapid Response Networks, organized by state. If you don’t see a Rapid Response Network near where you live, it might be worth checking with your local community center or doing an online search to double check. We do our best to keep this list updated, but it’s very possible that there may be more Networks that exist that we don’t know about! 

If you are part of a Rapid Response Network that isn’t on our list and you would like it to be included, please reach out to us at info.importami@rescue.org. 

 

Rapid Response Networks by State: 

ARIZONA: 

Tuscon 

CALIFORNIA: 

Bay Area 

Northern & Central California 

Los Angeles/Multiple Locations 

San Diego 

Other Southern California 

COLORADO: 

FLORIDA: 

GEORGIA: 

ILLINOIS: 

MICHIGAN: 

NEW YORK: 

Long Island 

Rockland County 

OREGON: 

Portland 

PENNSYLVANIA: 

Philadelphia 

Centre County

  • Centre County Rapid Response 📞 814-264-4626 

TEXAS: 

Houston 

WASHINGTON: 

This list serves as a guide for individuals and organizations seeking to connect with local Rapid Response Networks (RRN). Please be aware that it is not exhaustive and will be updated regularly. For any questions or corrections, please contact us via email at info.importami@rescue.org or via our WhatsApp number (917) 332-0880.  

 

SOURCES: 

Rapid Response Networks, Hotlines & Resources Across the United States, National Partnership for New Americans, December 2024