In this article, we focus on two avenues of resistance to the Administration’s immigration policy and enforcement actions.
Advocate against the Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions
On October 31, 2025, President Trump published the Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions for Fiscal Year 2026 (October 2025 through September 2026) in the Federal Register. The determination sets the refugee admissions ceiling for the upcoming year at 7,500, by far lower than any previous level in the history of the refugee program. The announcement stated that “the admissions numbers shall primarily be allocated among Afrikaners from South Africa” as well as “other victims of illegal or unjust discrimination,” understood to be white members of right-wing European parties who claim to have been discriminated against because of their anti-immigration views. Experts argue that this determination failed to comply with legal requirements to consult with Congress on such a determination. It also leaves in place the still being litigated refugee ban executive order of January 20th that suspended the resettlement program. (Refugee Council USA and Church World Services) These actions leave over 100,000 fully-vetted refugees who have been waiting only for their entrance visas.
In addition, the Administration is beginning to argue in individual cases, and may be arguing in an appeal that could impact Afghans generally, that Afghans who had assisted various U.S. interests no longer have a fear of persecution in Afghanistan and therefore could be sent back there. (Washington Post Oct.30, 2025)
Urge your elected officials to take a stand against these actions. See Church World Services’ November 2025 Advocacy Guide: Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions. Also, see the National Immigration Forum’s weekly updates on immigration policy.
Resist Expansion of ICE Enforcement Raids
Immigrant allies can organize, spread information, and advocate for state and local policies that protect immigrant communities. Such efforts can include:
Community-led initiatives
- Organize community watches: Community members can create patrols to watch for ICE activity and use bullhorns to warn residents, as seen in Chicago and Los Angeles.
- Create emergency plans: Help community members at risk of deportation prepare emergency plans, including having “Know Your Rights” materials readily available.
- Form mutual aid networks: Establish mutual aid funds and networks to support families impacted by raids, such as helping with job loss or legal fees.
- Use legal aid and advocacy: Connect with local groups to understand potential immigration cases and legal rights, as well as to support local efforts to get ICE out of courthouses.
- Form a sanctuary community: Local groups can organize themselves in any way they choose to resist “the sometimes harsh and illegal treatment of lawful immigrants, the ignoring of basic rights – such as due process – and the trend toward a police state.” The idea is that unlike more formal Sanctuary Cities that are being financially threatened by the current administration, private citizens are free organize themselves as Sanctuary Communities with First Amendment protections as long as they avoid illegal behavior such as interfering with ICE detention or arrests of immigrants. For example, Sanctuary Communities can video record ICE actions, and express verbal disagreement with them. To learn more about joining the Sanctuary Communities movement, see the We Are Sanctuary Communities website. See also this news article following a press conference on the formation of sanctuary communities across the state of New Hampshire.
Public awareness and protest
- Document and publicize raids: Encourage the use of phones to document raids, which can be shared publicly to create outrage and pressure policymakers.
- Organize protests: Participate in or organize protests to condemn raids and show solidarity. This can include rallies and marches.
- Spread social media campaigns: Use social media to share messages, graphics, and news about ICE raids to raise awareness and mobilize support for campaigns like “Abolish ICE” or “Keep loved ones together”.
Individual actions
- Know your rights: Familiarize yourself with your rights during an ICE encounter. For example, a warrant is needed for entry into a home, and you have the right to not consent to entry.
- Do not open your door without a warrant: If agents show up, do not open the door unless they have a warrant that names someone in your residence. You can state, “I do not consent to your entry,” and keep the door closed.
- Support local organizations: Connect with local immigrant rights groups to find out how you can support their efforts at a local and state level.
- Educate yourself on legal options: Understand what type of immigration case you could have and what your rights would be if detained. This knowledge is crucial for preparing for potential encounters. (adapted from a Google search)
The website of the National Association for Public Defense (NAPD), an association of public defense professionals, provides a listing of the nationwide network of Rapid Response Network Hotlines across the US as well as a wealth of resources submitted by various public defenders throughout the country.
Rapid Response Networks (RRN) are community-based systems that help protect immigrant families from deportation threats and provides support during immigration enforcement actions. These networks are composed of various organizations, community leaders, and legal advocates who, upon receiving a report of an enforcement activity, dispatch teams to verify the incident and connect individuals with legal assistance and other support services.
In addition to protecting immigrant communities from deportation and empowering them to advocate for their rights, RRNs document and share information about enforcement activities, helping the community stay informed and prepared. They work to bring about systemic change by documenting and responding to enforcement actions and improving support for immigrant communities. Many networks also provide “know your rights” training to educate community members on what to do if they are approached by immigration enforcement. (Google search)
The NAPD highly encourages using the resources offered by organizations such as the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, the Immigrant Advocacy Center, the ACLU’s Immigrant’s Rights Project, the National Immigration Law Center, and the National Immigrant Justice Center. They urge individuals needing assistance to also check with their local public defender office, legal aid office, and ACLU chapter to determine what local resources may be available in your area.<
Other resources that can be used to guide your work and educate the community about their rights include the California Collaborative for Immigrant Justice’s (CCIJ) Communities United Against ICE Toolkit, as well as their Community Resource Guide: First Steps After Someone You Care About is Detained by Immigration.