Story by Lev Cardenas, Staff Writer
Photo by Greg Simon, Staff Photographer
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month at Cypress College, EOPS director AnnMarie Ruelas partnered with the organization Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA).
The “Know Your Rights” Workshop was held on Sept. 11 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., and was hosted by invited CHIRLA representatives Kevin Aldana and Brandon Acuna.
CHIRLA offers student legal services and has worked with many schools, such as USC, multiple CSUs, and other community colleges. In the workshop, they discussed ways to stay prepared and how to navigate possible interactions with law enforcement, such as the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
They suggest carrying around I.D., papers that show immigration status, and medical documents to prove identity. If confronted by ICE, it’s important to record the encounter and state one’s rights. The First, Fourth, Fifth, and 14th Amendments guarantee legal rights, including citizenship rights. To help someone who was detained, visit https://locator.ice.gov/odls/#/search.
“They [ICE] do prioritize targeting criminals, at least that’s what they say,” Acuna said to the attendees, “but we have seen that in recent raids they have resulted in detaining people who have a clean record or even people who have an actual status in the country.”
To avoid giving into pressure or being tricked by law enforcement, it is best to remain calm, have an attorney’s information ready, and to carry around a red card that outlines the previously stated rights.
Know to ask what branch the agents are from and if they have a warrant signed by a judge that grants them the right to search or enter private property. Representative Aldana will be on campus next week for students who have any questions.
“If they [ICE] have a warrant signed by an agent, it doesn’t give them the power to enter just because they want to,” Aldana said in response to a question regarding asking ICE for a warrant.
For more information or help, also visit CHIRLA.org.
Other events being hosted this month to celebrate Hispanic Heritage at Cypress include:
- Paletas with Puente on Sept. 16 at 2:30 p.m. in the Puente Center.
- Dia de los Muertos Workshop on Sept. 23 at 10 a.m. in the CCCPLX-414,
- Bifurcated and Complex: Examining Immigrant Experiences- Part 1 on Sept. 30 at 3 p.m. on Zoom.
- Hispanic Heritage Award Video Clips on Oct. 9 at 6 p.m. on campus, location to be determined.
- Panecito Y Paint Night on Oct. 15 at the NOCE Anaheim Campus at 5:30 p.m., room to be determined.
- International Cultural Festival & HHM End Culmination on Oct. 16 in the FASS Building, time to be determined.
- Cruisin’ to College Car Show on Oct. 18 at 10 a.m. at Fullerton College, exact location to be determined.
