#NoBanNoWallNoRaids: As Trump's Raids Spread, Resistance Grows

By teleSUR

11 February 17

 

As Trump's migrant raids spread, nabbing hundreds, thousands protest throughout the U.S. under the banner #NoBanNoWallNoRaids

s reports spread on Friday of raids targeting undocumented migrants in ten different states throughout the U.S., protesters took to the streets in Austin and New York City, with more demonstrations planned for this weekend under the banner #NoBanNoWallNoRaids.

The department of homeland security confirmed Friday what they described as "routine enforcement actions" on homes and workplaces in Atlanta, Illinois, New York, North and South Carolina, as well as California.

However migrant rights activists reported that "raids of unusual intensity" also took place late this week in Florida, Kansas, Texas, and Virginia, according to the Washington Post.

In reaction to the raids, hundreds took to the streets in New York City and Austin, Texas on Friday evening, after protesters in Phoenix and Los Angeles blocked traffic in similar protests Thursday. Major demonstrations are planned for this weekend in New York and Washington, D.C. under the banner of #NoBanNoWallNoRaids, which was trending on Twitter Friday.

While the department of homeland security disputes that the raids are any different from those that took place under the Obama administration — infamous for night-time raids which led to never before seen numbers of deportations — many migrant rights activists point out that in the wake of Donald Trump’s executive order, which gives immigration officers a broader scope of who they can target for deportations, there is a decidedly new flavor to these raids.

"We cannot understate the level of panic and terror that is running through many immigrant communities," said Walter Barrientos, a migrant rights organizer in New York City, during a conference call with immigration advocates.

Indeed, a government aide familiar with the raids told the Washington Post the fact that most of the recent arrests took place in daytime operations is "a message to the community that the Trump deportation force is in effect."

"This is clearly the first wave of attacks under the Trump administration, and we know this isn't going to be the only one," said Cristina Jimenez, an immigrant youth organizer.

After Thursday's deportation of Guadalupe Garcia de Rayos — the Mexican-born mother of two U.S. citizens who came to the country when she was 14-years-old — the Mexican government issued a warning "to the entire Mexican community" in the U.S. to "take precautions and to keep in touch with the nearest consulate."

Immigrant rights activists reported widespread confusion and fear among many migrant communities, particularly because some of those swept up in the operations have no criminal record, despite officials claiming that they are only targeting people who have either a deportation order or criminal conviction, and "pose a threat" to public safety.

"People are panicking. People are really, really scared," Hiba Ghalib, an immigration lawyer in Atlanta, Georgia, told the Washington Post.

While the department of homeland security denied reports of immigration checkpoints and street stops, the New York Times reported that immigration agents were roaming the streets of Austin, Texas, and the Washington Post wrote that ICE agents were reportedly going door-to-door in one predominantly Latino neighborhood in Atlanta, Georgia.

"I'm getting lots of reports from my constituents about seeing ICE on the streets," Austin city councilor Greg Casar told the Washington Post. "Teachers in my district have contacted me — certain students didn't come to school today because they're afraid. I talked to a constituent, a single mother, who had her door knocked on this morning by ICE," he added.

Beyond the planned protests for this weekend human rights and migrant justice groups are holding hundreds of "know your rights" sessions across the country in preparation for what many have called Trump's "war on immigrants."