WILPF San Jose Member Attends Vigil for People Disappeared by ICE

Rev. Rowan Fairgrove, WILPF CA San Jose Branch

WILPF member Rev. Rowan Fairgrove was among other female clergy present at a recent prayer vigil for people who have been disappeared by ICE in San Francisco. Clery members dressed in white for the event.

Rev. Rowan Fairgrove, treasurer of WILPF San Jose, attended a prayer vigil with the mothers, grandmothers, and godmothers of the disappeared at the ICE office in San Francisco on Aug. 26. Rev. Rowan was invited by the Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity (IM4HI) because they specifically wanted female clergy to help hold space for this important event. 

You can view KRON4’s local coverage of the event and IM4HI’s photo compilation from the vigil.

WILPF Greater Philadelphia Branch Allies with Local Groups to Resist ICE

Pam Albright, WILPF PA Greater Philadelphia Branch

The Greater Philadelphia Branch members are collaborating with local immigration groups and other allies to support immigrants in our communities and resist ICE actions. They are organizing “Know Your Rights” sessions featuring the well-known red cards. Additionally, members are involved in rapid response networks that mobilize individuals to sites where ICE has been sighted, aiming to document the events and provide support to those facing arrest and detention. This assistance may include ongoing help for detainees and their families in the form of food, gift cards, and transportation when necessary. 

By connecting with organizations such as MILPA and PIC, our members stay informed about other actions and initiatives. For instance, when a local resident was taken to the Montgomery County Correctional Facility for ICE pickup, they quickly rallied to support her. 

Furthermore, our branch is actively campaigning to persuade counties and townships surrounding Philadelphia to adopt written public “Welcoming County” and “Welcoming Township” policies, indicating they will not cooperate with ICE without a judicial warrant. Our branch has also formally joined a coalition to shut down detention centers. This work, led by rights organizations, helps build our credibility with the communities most impacted by ICE and anti-immigration policies.

“Migration is Natural”: Humboldt County Branch Prepares for ICE Activity Through Education and Activism

Sue Hilton, WILPF CA Humboldt County Branch

In Humboldt County, Northern California, we’ve been fortunate that there hasn’t been significant ICE activity so far. However, we are collaborating with a local immigrant support group, Centro del Pueblo, to assist our immigrant community and prepare for potential ICE actions. Centro del Pueblo, along with other local organizations, has created a hotline for reporting ICE presence. They’ve also established a rapid response team of trained observers to monitor ICE actions and ensure affected individuals know their rights. 

Members of WILPF’s Humboldt County branch are involved in initiatives to educate the community about their rights, utilizing theater and informational cards, and helping individuals prepare documentation and family plans. Our county is designated as a sanctuary county, and both of our largest cities, Arcata and Eureka, have their own sanctuary policies in place. This year, the county and these cities reaffirmed those policies, which included a performance by our Raging Grannies at one of the affirmations.

Members of the Humboldt County community dressed as butterflies and biked along the highway to spread the message that “migration is natural” as part of a Sanctuary Celebration in August.

Many of us participated in a Sanctuary Celebration at the end of August. This event began with people wearing butterfly wings biking or roller skating from Eureka to Arcata along the new bike trail alongside the highway, emphasizing the message that migration is natural. The celebration included speeches, dancing, and performances from our Raging Grannies. 

Additionally, we partnered with Centro del Pueblo for a small International Day of Peace celebration on Sept. 21. Although the focus was not on ICE or immigration, we asked attendees to share what peace meant to them. Several participants expressed thoughts about freedom of movement across borders and the importance of reducing military presence in our streets.

Building Solidarity: WILPF Triangle Branch’s Activism for Immigrant Rights in North Carolina

Lucy Lewis, WILPF NC Triangle Branch

The Triangle (NC) branch has been actively engaged in immigration issues since the 2024 election. Many members have collaborated with Siembra NC, founded in 2017 in response to Trump’s anti-immigrant policies and the lack of resources for the Latino community in North Carolina. Members have previously participated in Siembra-led protests and are now involved in its strategies to counter the current administration’s anti-immigrant actions. They attended anti-ICE trainings in Durham and Raleigh, where hundreds of attendees learned to report suspicious activities and respond to ICE sightings.

Siembra has introduced the Fourth Amendment Workplace initiative, aimed at preventing illegal searches by federal agents. This program canvasses local businesses and offers staff training to those pledging to become Fourth Amendment-compliant workplaces. Carrboro and Durham are the first two NC cities to adopt these resolutions. One WILPF member has conducted staff trainings at a local business after participating in these initiatives.

Additionally, our members have tabled at events with Siembra and distributed over 1,000 “Know Your Rights” red cards at WILPF events and peace vigils across from the UNC-Chapel Hill campus.

Most members also participate in Democracy Out Loud, a local Indivisible group, with weekly Zoom meetings. Several have joined the DOL Immigration Affinity Group, engaging local law enforcement in relational meetings and de-escalation trainings. 

WILPF Triangle, along with various allies, is preparing for anticipated crackdowns on immigrant communities. We view immigrant defense as a critical struggle. We are learning from successful resistance efforts, emphasizing community self-defense, solidarity, rapid response, and non-cooperation as tactics in response to increasing attacks on marginalized groups.

WILPF’s Tucson Branch Prepares for ICE Actions Through Barrio Walks, Court Accompaniment, and More

Karen Pope, WILPF AZ Tucson Branch

WILPF Tucson has several members involved in the Coalición de Derechos Humanos, which comprises more than a dozen community social action groups known as the Defense and Resistance Collective. Currently, the focus is primarily on preparing for larger ICE actions through these standing committees. Activities include Barrio Walks, where information about “Know Your Rights” and a rapid response contact number is shared with neighborhood residents. 

Additionally, there is a weekly meeting where committees provide updates, distribute printed materials, and host speakers, particularly for legal updates. The environment is changing rapidly, and these subgroups are designed to be adaptable in their responses. Another project of the Coalición is Immigration Court Accompaniment, which involves walking with individuals to court and providing bilingual “Know Your Rights” materials on their court dates, or for ICE check-ins and green card interviews upon request.