With the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ramping up activity, false ICE sightings have caused fear and chaos in local communities, including at schools and work places.
In central Indiana, there’s a new hotline, run by the Indiana Undocumented Youth Alliance (IUYA), that you can call to report these sightings. IUYA will send out a volunteer to verify or debunk reports of ICE.
When you call Indy Rapid Response at 855-589-4639, include the time you saw an incident and where it happened. The hotline will be staffed Monday through Friday from the early mornings to early evenings. Indy Rapid Response may shift those hours based on what times most calls come in. Indy Rapid Response will not collect names or any other caller information.
You can also email photos or videos you took to indyrapidresponse@proton.me or send a message to Indy Rapid Response on Instagram.
Volunteers who answer the calls can’t share any legal advice, but they will recommend local resources and tell you what rights you have in interactions with the police or ICE.
To stay updated when Indy Rapid Response spots ICE, you can follow their Instagram account and turn notifications on.
Indiana Undocumented Youth Alliance based this program on resources from Siembra NC, a Latine community group in North Carolina. Siembra NC created a downloadable playbook on how to create an ICE watch group in your neighborhood.
Mirror Indy, a nonprofit newsroom, is funded through grants and donations from individuals, foundations and organizations.
Mirror Indy reporter Sophie Young covers services and resources. Contact her at sophie.young@mirrorindy.org.
Related
Resources for immigrants in Indianapolis
Plus, where to donate and what you can do to help.
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
