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Dan Cherry Daily Telegram Staff Writer @lenaweecherry

MADISON TWP. A community meeting Wednesday addressed immigration concerns and sought answers to questions about recent reported activity by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Lenawee County.

Community advocate Chico Martinez said the meeting at the Hidden River South clubhouse was called because residents and the general community are afraid.

People are afraid to walk outside; theyre afraid to go to the store or to work, Martinez said.

An audience of approximately 40 community members asked questions of three immigration law experts, who provided answers in both English and Spanish.

Roberto Torres, executive director of the Hispanic Center of Western Michigan, said the current reported ICE activity is hard to swallow.

Torres said his organization in Grand Rapids is working with police and related organizations to work together and be a more welcoming community.

"We want to be a welcoming community, a welcoming city, Torres said. Were creating avenues to become a safer environment.

Torres said the Grand Rapids area has a 24-hour interpretation service to enable local police to communicate with those who cannot speak English in order to help prevent minor infractions from becoming larger issues.

Torres said when immigration enforcement detains undocumented workers or those who are unable to provide paperwork, families are being separated with no plans on what to do with children who are affected by the situation.

Regardless of status, everyone needs to be prepared for the next steps, he said.

State official speaks

Bing Geoi, executive director of the Michigan Office on New Americans, said Gov. Rick Snyder created the position in 2014 and has stated publicly that law enforcement officers are to protect all residents.

Their role is to not become immigration agents, Geoi said. They are here to protect you regardless of status. Gov. Snyder has also publicly stated he is advocating for comprehensive immigration reform. He does believe there has to be a tough but fair way to establish legal status for undocumented workers in the state.

Geoi said the state only has so much power against the federal issue of immigration.

We need to have public policies that do not detract the value that migrant workers have brought to the state of Michigan, he said.

In Detroit, Geoi said, the city council has a policy that gives people an opportunity to get their own identification card.

You may want to ask (local government) candidates what their position is on identification cards, he said. That is action local government officials can do to help.

Attorney advice

Robert Alvarez from the Avanti Law Group in the Grand Rapids suburb of Wyoming spoke for more than an hour on immigration rights and how those who, whether they have documentation of their legal status or not, can help protect themselves.

I want everyone to know what their rights are, to not be afraid, to come out of their homes and go to the store and not be afraid at all, Alvarez said.

I understand there has been some ICE activity in the area, and there is division between the leaders in this community on what to do,he said. That division can be (your) biggest weakness. If we cant come together, theres little we can do.

Alvarez said he has received phone calls from area farmers asking how to help their workers.

Farmers are just now realizing how the dramatic immigration policy shift by President (Donald) Trump is changing things,he said. It is affecting them and with migrant season just starting, there are people who dont plan to come back to Michigan because of reported ICE activity.

Alvarez said if ICE shows up and accesses a property without a warrant, the farmer or business owner is allowing it.

Unless they have a warrant from a judge, ICE cant go on their property,Alvarez said.

Alvarez said local police officers typically do not assist ICE agents, but if they do, they wear their own local uniforms and drive their agencys vehicle.

Audience members were provided with a brief overview of immigration rights, as well as business cards with numbers to call if they or someone they know find themselves with legal concerns. They also were encouraged to make sure residents have proper paperwork or take steps to do so.

Length of time no longer grants amnesty against deportation, Alvarez said.

It doesnt matter if youve been here 70-80 years, if you own a business, if you have great-grandchildren, he said.

How is ICE finding undocumented workers?

Alvarez said agents will go to the local courthouse and look at files, look for matches in the public record with those who have had contact with immigration and decide who to go after.

According to Alvarez, ICE is profilingbecause the focus is on the Latino community. According to Martinez, the Asian community is also being examined.

Alvarez said prevention is key to not being targeted.

Its very important to not put yourself in a position where immigration wants to pick you up, he said. Dont violate laws. Dont drink and drive.

If residents are selectively approached, Alvarez said, they should ask the agent specifically why they are being questioned instead of others and record everything using a smartphone.

If you have a family member whos been detained, contact an attorney right away, he said.

Email and telephone messages left for ICE media relations between March 8 and Tuesday asking about alleged activity in Lenawee County were not returned by press time.

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Meeting focuses on quest for immigration reform - The Daily Telegram