How to prepare for a Phoenix ICE raid: What to know and what to do

ICE raids have already been reported in Phoenix. Several organizations have put out guides on how to prepare yourself.

January 22, 2025

The Trump administration has authorized Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to make arrests at schools, churches and hospitals. David Dee Delgado/Getty Images

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Leer en español.

While running for president, Donald Trump painted a hellish picture of the United States as overrun by vicious, blood-thirsty immigrants — a problem he said he’d fix by undertaking the biggest deportation program in American history. Now that Trump has entered the White House, he’s aggressively making moves to deliver on the promise.

One of the president’s first acts Monday was signing an executive order ending birthright citizenship, which is in direct conflict with the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The next day, his administration approved allowing immigration officials to raid sensitive locations that were previously off-limits, such as churches and hospitals. Trump’s deportation czar, Tom Homan, also said Tuesday that even immigrants who do not have criminal convictions would be deported.

Phoenix is destined to be a top target for a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement crackdown. And the threat is frightening members of the community — even those who are citizens.

On Trump’s second day in office, ICE sightings were already reported in Phoenix. Conflict is brewing, as public schools chief Tom Horne — a Republican — said he does not want ICE in Arizona’s schools, and Gov. Katie Hobbs has vowed to fight back.

Here are some guides on what to know and what to do if ICE shows up.

Freshman Democratic Rep. Yassamin Ansari of Phoenix shared these key points, in English and Spanish:

I’ll always protect Arizona families.

Now more than ever, knowing your rights is crucial. If an immigration agent confronts you or a loved one, KNOW YOUR RIGHTS. pic.twitter.com/KkyGAVNy8N
— Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari (@RepYassAnsari) January 21, 2025

Here is guidance shared by Beth Lewis of Save Our Schools, by way of New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez:

Know your rights. For your students, your friends, your family, your neighbors pic.twitter.com/eG08nimj8F
— Beth Lewis, SOSAZ 🆘 🏜🎓 (@AZBethLewis) January 22, 2025

Here are tips in English and Spanish from the activist organization Poder in Action:

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A post shared by Poder in Action (@poderinaction)

Here's a guide from the National Immigration Law Center:

Over the next 4 years, the Trump administration will continue its attacks on our communities. It’s our shared responsibility to care for one another and protect our neighbors.

To prepare for Trump 2.0, here are 5 steps immigrants can take now👉 pic.twitter.com/gIDIliQiwD
— National Immigration Law Center (@NILC) January 10, 2025

TJ L'Heureux is a staff writer for Phoenix New Times where he’s primarily focused on news since September 2023. Before joining the New Times staff, TJ worked at Arizona State University's Howard Center for Investigative Journalism. He was also recognized for best community service project/reporting in the 2023 EPPY Awards. TJ holds a master's degree in investigative journalism from Arizona State University and a bachelor’s degree in public policy and Latin American studies from the University of Chicago.

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