Action Plan 

For Supporting Immigrants in our Communities

Montgomery County is home to 95,000 individuals born elsewhere, accounting for 11% of the population.  While many immigrants from Latin America are clustered in Norristown and the surrounding area, foreign-born residents coming from all over the globe, including significant populations from Asia, Southeast Asia, and Africa, live and work in every township and borough of the county. 

The impact of ICE activity and detentions has torn apart families.  In recent weeks, at least 20 residents have been detained.  In some cases, they are the sole breadwinners of their families, meaning local families can not put food on their tables.  Across the communities, people are afraid to leave their homes for work, doctors’ appointments, and daily life.  They, too, are suffering.

We’ve compiled a list of actions we can take as neighbors, friends, and supporters to make a positive difference.  No one can do everything, but each of us can do something.  We’ve organized response efforts along four main categories: Political Advocacy, Direct Service, Rapid Response, and Mutual Aid.

  1. Advocacy

Commonwealth of Pennsylvania:  Join the Pennsylvania Immigration Coalition (PIC) in telling  Governor Shapiro to say “No” to collaboration with ICE.  Contact information and a sample letter are available here. 

Individual Townships and Boroughs. Each township and borough needs to enact policies that prevent township employees (especially police departments) from cooperating with ICE.  For more information on how you can work in your local community, click here.

School Districts: Quick Guide: Does Your School Have an ICE Policy? (Pennsylvania)

Contact your local school district to urge them to protect students and families from unlawful ICE actions.  A toolkit is here. 

Montgomery County. Montgomery County leaders are in the process of adopting policies to prevent government employees and officials from cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).  They have already stopped the County Jail from detaining people for ICE after they have paid bail, refused to allow county employees to be deputized to ICE, and are prohibiting employees from sharing information beyond what is required by law.  We would like to thank them for their work and encourage them to continue.  We must recognize their hard work and that change isn’t fast or easy.  Here is a sample letter that you can send, along with the included email addresses, to demonstrate our gratitude and support for their efforts.  

Legal Services. Many immigrant focused organizations are looking for low cost or pro bono lawyers currently accepting new clients. If you know any lawyers willing to take on immigration or family law cases for low or no cost, or are willing to call offices to see who will, please add them to this list. 

Patronizing Immigrant Businesses. Immigrant owned businesses could use our support as they are facing many operational challenges at this time. When shopping or dining out, consider supporting a local immigrant owned small business. Share your favorite immigrant owned small business or restaurant here so others can also enjoy and support them.  

  1. Direct Service

Montgo Immigrant Aid Action is a loosely organized group of people working to provide direct service (rides to doctors or appointments, childcare, shopping, and accompanying to court dates).  Please fill out this form to be added to their Signal Chat.

  1. Rapid Response 

Norristown Rapid Response is activated when ICE (or rumors of ICE) is present in Norristown to monitor, track, observe, and provide immediate assistance.  This is PEACEFUL and NON-VIOLENT action. You must be available in or near Norristown at a moment’s notice. Local Rapid Response Networks are forming in other communities in Montgomery County.  If you’d like to be connected with folks near you, email: montcowatch@gmail.com.

You can be helpful and have rights as an observer of an ICE raid or arrest. 

Review a YouTube video HERE

Review a comprehensive slide show HERE 

General information about ICE HERE

ICE Detainee locator HERE

  1. Mutual Aid/Financial Support

The Woori Center (Landsdale) provides direct support for the Asian Community. DONATE HERE

CCATE (Cultural Center for Arts, Work, and Education in Norristown) provides a variety of services and is establishing a legal defense fund.  DONATE HERE 

Unides Para Servir Norristown provides direct support to families impacted by ICE Raids and the current environment.  Donate through Venmo to @unidesparaservirnorristown

Kate’s Casa supports recently arrived immigrant families in the region by providing essential services like housing assistance, bill relief, ESL classes, legal fee coverage, and even cultural events. Currently, they are providing assistance to families impacted by ICE as well. Donate here

Unides Para Servir is also collecting gift cards to give directly to families.  They have requested cards from Aldi’s, Walmart, and Visa (denominations between $20 and $50.)  Cards can be dropped off at Unides (335 W Marshall St, Norristown), Recycle, Read Repeat Book Store (208 Cherry St, Norristown) or at the Abington Neighborhood Protests (final Thursday of the month).

Urgent Go Fund Me Campaign has been established to help a mother detained and separated from her children meet her $5000 bail bond.  Read more and donate to that effort here. 

To stay connected

Indivisible of Greater Jenkintown

Montco PA and Friends Indivisible

Montco Immigrant Aid Action Signal Group

You can stay up to date on current immigration law changes using this immigration litigation tracker.