Ramirez leads Know Your Rights ICE training for Jersey City Women’s Advisory Board

Former Assemblywoman Jessica Ramirez hosted a Know Your Rights training for the Jersey City Women’s Advisory Board in light of recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids.

By Daniel Ulloa/Hudson County View

Women’s Advisor Board Chair Tami Henry explained they are eager to hold several trainings of this nature.

“It was important for us to kick off the very first of many know your rights sessions,” she noted before introducing Ramirez.

Along with being a former member of the state Assembly, Ramirez explained she is a lawyer with years of experience in immigration law.

“If you have an individual case, go to an immigration lawyer … It’s not just immigrants who have to protect their rights,” Ramirez she told the group.

“Once they step onto this soil … you have constitutional rights. And that includes all people. Everyone has rights under the U.S. Constitution. You don’t even have to tell them your name, you have the right to refuse answers.”

Ramirez also advised that immigrants with legal status issues should not hand over foreign passports because it is solid proof that will be important in any court proceeding.

“ … Just say silent. Don’t provide any documents … It is the State that has to prove every fact beyond a reasonable doubt. Don’t give them a fake driver’s license. Don’t give them a license from another country … You’re done,” the counselor contended.

To that point, Ramirez stated that providing fake documents is an indictable criminal offense, which makes it much easier for them to deport immigrants with status issues.

She also empathized about the naturalization process, indicating that it is often long and drawn out and costs thousands of dollars before giving further tips about how to deal with federal agents.

“You need a warrant … If they don’t have a warrant, you can say you don’t consent to a search. Under the Constitution, your house is your castle … You have a right to see a warrant … Always ask them to slide the warrant under the door,” Ramirez recommended.

She further cautioned that opening your door without seeing a warrant is akin to signing your deportation, also noting that local police don’t care about your immigration status since Jersey City is a sanctuary city.

Additionally, Ramirez recognized that it is very difficult to find a pro-bono lawyer to help with an immigration cases, adding that many non-profits that specialize in immigration issues are overwhelmed.

Nonetheless, she said never run, as an attempt to evade only makes matters worse and is essentially a guarantee a trip to jail, also stating that they should never sign anything away, since that is usually their right to a court hearing.

Elaborating on an earlier point, Ramirez said that New Jersey is a sanctuary state, therefore state police and civil servants aren’t authorized to cooperate with ICE.

“The police won’t ask you about your immigration status … you can call 911 for help,” Ramirez noted, adding that it will be easier to communicate with local authorities in English.

On the other side of the coin, the former state legislator said immigration hearing have limited, if any rules, so they are difficult to secure. Therefore, anyone legally allowed to be in the U.S. should give all of their information.

She also suggested having pictures of documents, like a birth certificate, on their phone to assist during such a situation.

Ramirez also explained that immigrants should make contingency plans in case they are arrested, including who will take care of their children and informing schools, which ultimately means leaving someone with the power of attorney.

New Hudson County Commissioner Celeste Williams (D-3) noted that sanctuary cities can’t physically bar ICE from their cities, prompting her to ask if there is any “first line of defense.”

Ramirez responded that people should to film ICE and post quickly on social media, advising them to go live instead if possible, as well as that rapid responders can come and help alert the community.