Hundreds nationwide seek training on how to handle immigration enforcement

The sound of whistles and the honking of car horns have taken on a new role on streets in major U.S. cities, signaling to residents that immigration enforcement is nearby. These alert methods have grown increasingly common in areas recently targeted by Border Patrol operations.

In cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Charlotte, North Carolina, residents have protested immigration actions while organizing community patrols, neighborhood watch groups, and recording videos of immigration officers conducting operationsoften while wearing masks and using unmarked vehicles. Activists have criticized what they describe as more aggressive tactics by federal agents, while authorities maintain that such community actions can interfere with law enforcement activities. Officers will take legal and necessary steps to ensure their own safety and that of bystanders, said Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin.

In Charlotte, Heather Morrow faces misdemeanor charges after allegedly blocking access to a Department of Homeland Security facility, following the reduction of initial felony assault charges against her. Another resident, Joshua Long, who documented Border Patrol activity for a neighborhood watch group, was arrested for alleged assault on a federal officer, a claim he denies.

As tensions rise, residents across the country are seeking to replicate grassroots monitoring strategies to prepare for potential immigration operations in their communities. Jill Garvey, co-director of pro-democracy group States at the Core, highlighted during a nationwide virtual ICE WATCH training session that the scale and severity of recent deportation actions necessitate new community responses.

Over 500 participants from cities including New York, Memphis, Oakland, and New Orleans attended the online session, sharing concerns about enforcement tactics and seeking guidance on adapting ICE Watch strategies to both urban and rural environments, and to locations such as schools, workplaces, and churches.

Trainers emphasized documenting enforcement activity carefully, noting agent numbers, uniforms, and operational scope, while keeping a safe distance and avoiding physical interaction. McLaughlin warned that proximity to law enforcement actions carries risks, adding that officers are clearly identifiable and may wear masks to protect themselves from criminal targeting.

Community monitoring efforts began taking shape in June, particularly in Los Angeles and Chicago during operations such as the Midway Blitz. While Border Patrol defended their use of tear gas and rubber bullets, residents criticized these tactics as excessive.

Legal concerns remain for activists involved in these efforts. Xavier T. de Janon, representing residents in Charlotte, noted that several clients documenting Border Patrol activity faced charges. Joshua Long described an incident where he attempted to move his car out of the way of agents and was subsequently arrested, claiming the encounter was unjustified. Federal authorities maintain that individuals who obstruct or assault officers will face legal consequences.

According to DHS, reports of assaults against ICE officers have risen from 19 last year to 238 this year, reflecting increasing nationwide tension over immigration enforcement methods. Trainers at the ICE WATCH session stressed the importance of conducting monitoring activities in groups, prioritizing safety, and maintaining nonviolent documentation tactics.

Neighborhood watch groups aim to record immigration activity without interfering with operations, promoting vigilance while remaining within legal boundaries, according to organizers.

Author: Sophia Brooks