Local opinion: When ICE appears, be like Colette

November 26, 2025. It was the day before Thanksgiving. Families around Tucson were planning for a holiday that represents togetherness. Colette Barajas was out for her morning walk when she saw something very unusual: ICE agents in multiple unmarked vehicles had pulled over a Hispanic man in a truck and disappeared with him. Some family members observed this and were left distraught, including his two U.S. citizen children. Colette says of the frightening situation, “I was afraid, but they were more afraid than I was. We need to step up and help our neighbors.”

Colette stepped up to the challenge and walked over to the distressed family. She could have carried on without saying or doing anything. Instead, she provided them with a little bit of calm in the wake of a storm. She made some calls to help them find immediate legal counsel. She provided the family with critical support that is needed with the proliferation of ICE agents around our community and country. A key component to resisting the onslaught of actions by ICE is to provide compassion and support and follow the wisdom of the late Congressman John Lewis:

“When you see something that is not right, not just, not fair, you have a moral obligation to say something, to do something.”

What can you do when ICE comes into your neighborhood?

• Make sure that everyone is aware of their rights under the U.S. Constitution. Know Your Rights materials are available in numerous languages online. Regardless of whether a person is a U.S. citizen, undocumented or in some other legal status in the U.S., you have guaranteed rights under the Constitution.

• While you have certain unalienable rights, keep in mind that the current administration is directing their officers to act with impunity, so make certain to have your cell phone handy to record interactions with ICE. The National Immigrant Justice Center suggests that everyone who is in fear of ICE create a safety plan. It is critical to make sure that those who are at greatest risk of arrest have emergency contacts and a family plan for who will care for children or have the legal authority to make decisions on their behalf.

• Does a judicial warrant still matter when ICE comes to your home or business? It sure does. If ICE comes to a private residence or wants to enter private areas of a business, they will require a judicial warrant. These are distinguishable from an administrative warrant in that they are signed by a judge and provide specifics on where law enforcement can search or what they can seize. The administrative warrant will say “U.S. Department of Homeland Security” and does not grant ICE permission to enter or search your home.

• Tucson has a Rapid Response Team that provides an emergency response network that allows community volunteers the ability to support those being targeted by ICE. The organization provides community observers to help document immigration enforcement actions and record what is happening on the ground. They also provide additional support to the families and targeted individuals in the aftermath of an arrest. They will accompany people to court and support them in other ways as well. The Rapid Response Team hotline is 520-221-4077.

• If you are recording what ICE is doing, keep a safe distance and if an agent tells you to step back, make sure to listen and do as the officer says. It is also advisable to tell the officer that you are stepping back loudly so it will be on the recording.

There are other ways to support community members during this time including supporting immigrant rights organizations with volunteer opportunities or financial support. Be safe out there and do not intervene with the law enforcement action. You can make a difference by observing, recording, and providing support to those who are victimized by the actions of rogue ICE agents. Never get violent as that is obviously not legal and will be used to encourage the federal government to justify their actions.

Be like Colette and give our friends, family members and neighbors more support and hope. Your community depends on it.