Stand! for the things that you know are right.

How You Can Help: On immigration defense, food stamps, and other cutbacks

Immigration: Important resources

• Visit the Friends of La Pena Immigrant Rights Committee sites at www.flpir.org/ and lapena.org/series/friends-of-la-pena-2/.
• Go to www.eastbaysanctuary.org/know-your-rights/ to download and print red “Know Your Rights” cards and yellow “Rapid Response” cards to hand out.
• If you have recently seen, interacted with, or been detained by Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE)—or other immigration agencies—please Call the ACILEP Hotline:
  • (510) 241-4011, Monday – Sunday, 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
• See the ACILEP website at www.acilep.org/ (Alameda County Immigration Legal and Education Partnership). ACILEP recommends these steps when reporting ICE activity:
  • Confirm it: Please only share info on ICE and CBP activity if it is confirmed. Sharing unconfirmed presence spreads panic and prevents people from living their lives.
  • Be specific: If you’re able to do it safely, take pictures and include a time and date stamp. Timestamps help ACILEP track ICE’s movement.
  • Take action: Citizens and allies, your support matters! Support our Alameda County undocumented Community by reporting ICE and CBP Activity!
• Click here for a current example of an alert from ACILEP

Being a good neighbor is taking on a new meaning

Gentle reminder:  Fear is widespread in many immigrant communities around the Bay—not surprising when the Trump administration’s strategy relies on terror, as we editorialized in our previous issue (see “Fear and Hope in Berkeley”).

It is important that those who are more secure in their legal status are conscious of what others are going through right now.

While we might feel tempted to ask people if they are personally at risk, or what their status is, or where they are from, please don’t do it. Legal status is very sensitive information. Prying into someone’s status may violate trust. Instead, it would be better to focus on what you can do as an ally and a supportive presence. You can refer people to legal aid by contacting agencies such as East Bay Sanctuary Covenant or the East Bay Community Law Center.

Also, be careful about urging people who you think are at risk from ICE from going to public events where Immigration might be present. It is fine to make people aware of these opportunities, or to tell them, as Mayor Ishii does, that it is safe to send your kids to school at this time. But it is their decision. Some people may welcome an offer from you to pick up groceries for them, or other errands, if they are afraid to go out of the house. These little offers can be a big source of solidarity.

Take direct action. Find a formal or informal group you can work with. Watch each others’ backs. Do what works for you:

• Court Watch: observing at immigration court. This has had a big effect in decreasing ICE arrests during court hearings
• “Adopt A Corner” or “Adopt a School.” Join the Whistle Warning Brigade.

Be safe out there!

Food is a human right

The traumatic immigration crackdown was made worse by the longest-ever government shutdown. While this shutdown may be coming to an end, it has stalled delivery of SNAP foodstamps, called CalFresh in California. Federal workers are unpaid or even fired. Millions of low-income people will have their Medicaid (Medi-Cal in California) cut off or made unaffordable.

Not only do “We keep us safe,” but “We keep us fed.” —  It’s not just good public policy. It’s an essential attitude when our community can no longer depend on the federal safety net. Please contribute to feeding our neighbors.

Here is the official Call to Action from the Berkeley Public Schools Fund [BPSF—a 501(c)(3) nonprofit] for a FAMILY FOOD EMERGENCY CAMPAIGN:

Support BUSD Families impacted by the uncertainty of social safety net programs through donations to the district-wide Family Emergency Fund

While courts have ordered the federal government to continue to provide SNAP benefits, there remains a great deal of uncertainty around the status of SNAP, including likely reductions and anticipated delays to family food support and other social safety net programs. This situation increases the food security challenges for many Berkeley public school families, and it has many in our community asking how they can help.

In response, BUSD’s Office of Family Equity & Engagement, the Berkeley Public Schools Fund, and the Berkeley PTA Council are partnering on a Family Food Emergency Campaign to channel monetary resources to impacted families.

Donations are currently being accepted to the Family Emergency Fund, a pre-existing district-wide fund designed to support families during crisis situations. Funds will be used to provide grocery gift cards to those facing immediate food insecurity and other related economic challenges, equitably distributed across the district based on need.

More information can be found here:

Family Food Emergency Campaign Q&A November 2025

https://docs.google.com/document/d/12Xo7QDXMXYlSiyVYtRutCqi4QkI7Ho_yY1el9zd_AZo/edit?usp=drivesdk

*** DONATE HERE:  BUSD-wide Family Food Emergency Campaign ***

https://secure.qgiv.com/for/familyemergencyfund

In Partnership,

• Berkeley Public Schools Fund
• BUSD’s Office of Family Engagement & Equity
• Berkeley PTA Council

Rely on the Berkeley Public Library “Know Your Rights” website

The Berkeley Public Library has established a special webpage focused on Know Your Rights (KYR), ICE raids, legal defense, and obtaining citizenship.  The site has helpful information in at least five languages. See:  https://www.berkeleypubliclibrary.org/topics/law/know-your-rights-pathways-citizenship

Here are some of the topics the Library site covers:

1. KYR and ICE Raids Resources (including for Employers)
2. Resources to help plan and prepare for an encounter with ICE
3. City of Berkeley Sanctuary City
4. Immigration Legal Service Providers in the Bay Area
5. Library Resources/Events 

Know your rights! There are protections and rights that everyone in the United States share, regardless of immigration status. Plus, there are organizations and programs that can help with the citizenship process.

• Alameda County Public Defenders – Understand what to do if ICE approaches you.
• Family Preparedness Planning – Set more concrete plans for immigration emergencies that can arise.
• Online Detainee Locator System -Find adults currently in ICE or have been in U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s custody for more than 48 hours.
• ICE Detention Facilities – Search by State, Field Office or Facility name to find address, visiting hours and contact information for detention centers.
• Legal Resources to print – Keep a red card guide with you to help exercise your rights when it matters most.

     September 2025 Council Report

Immigration Legal Service Providers in the Bay Area

• Legal Information Source – Access free legal information and forms from NOLO Press.
• Literacy: Berkeley READS – Start your US Citizenship journey with everything you need to know.

And LOTS of other resources!

And remember: