On Thursday, Feb. 19, Drew’s recently formed immigrant aid collective known as Esperanza held a “Know-Your-Rights” workshop to educate Drew students about their legal immigration rights and Constitutional protections. Snacks, such as empanadas, were also served to those in attendance.
The event, held in the La Casa Latina townhouse on campus, started at 5 p.m. and lasted until 6:30 p.m. The gathering’s aim was to provide “an insightful dialogue on immigrant protection, community solidarity and shared challenges on campus,” said an advertising flyer for the organization. Residents of La Casa teamed up with other members of Esperanza to help students make what are known as “red cards.”
Red cards are rectangular red-colored cardstock cards containing printed out information about human rights and how to interact with Immigration and Customs Enforcement should someone find themselves in a confrontation with them.
“I do not wish to speak with you, answer your questions or sign or hand you any documents based on my fifth Amendment rights under the United States Constitution,” reads one side of the card in English, with more instructions for cases where agents may be outside of someone’s home.
The flip side of the card contains instructions in Spanish on how to exercise those very rights, with directives to remain silent and calm and to refrain from signing anything without first speaking with a lawyer.
Those in attendance were also given red, white and blue-striped whistles, designed to alert others to the potential risk of agents nearby.
Esperanza hopes to host more events like this in the coming months, with announcements to be posted on La Casa’s social media. For more information, visit La Casa’s Instagram page @drewlacasalatina.
Sabr Kerez-Siddiqui is a junior majoring in political science and minoring in sociology and anthropology.
