MIAMI, FL — Today, Americans for Immigrant Justice (AI Justice), the Florida Immigrant Coalition (FLIC) Community Justice Project (CJP), Catholic Legal Services (CLS), WeCount!, and the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida (ACLU-FL), announce the creation of the Florida Rapid Response Alliance for Immigrant Safety and Empowerment (RAISE).
The Alliance will empower and protect the rights of all Floridians, including Floridians who are immigrants, perceived to be immigrants, and members of communities of color, through the provision of Know Your Rights (KYR) trainings as well as Family Safety and Preparedness clinics. Through the Coalition, Floridians will have resources that support access to legal counsel, prevent the separation of families, and provide orientation on legal processes.
RAISE is created in response to the incoming administration's mass detention and deportation plans. Now, more than ever, Floridians with various immigrant statuses and their loved ones need experienced attorneys and advocates to stand against harmful policies that violate constitutional rights and jeopardize the safety of our communities. Simultaneously, there is an urgent need for a meaningful rapid response network to ensure that the public is aware of their rights and has access to legal counsel if needed.
To mark the launch of RAISE and commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, RAISE will host a “Know Your Rights” training on Monday, January 20 to educate local community members about their rights under the U.S. Constitution and legal protections. This will be the first of many upcoming legal clinics, “Know Your Rights” sessions, and Family Safety and Preparedness clinics in the weeks ahead.
The coalition released the following statement:
“By launching the Florida Rapid Response Alliance for Immigrant Safety and Empowerment (RAISE), we stand in solidarity with all Floridians who for any reason may be targeted by unlawful acts enforcement actions. Our communities need us more than ever. We stand tall and ready to ensure Floridians are protected and afforded their legal and constitutional rights, no matter where they were born, or what their immigration status is.
“Florida is home to nearly five million immigrants. Over a third of the state's agricultural workers and nearly a quarter of its construction workers are immigrants. In Florida, about 250,000 underage U.S. citizens live with an undocumented parent. We know that the incoming administration’s mass deportation plans will have a grave and detrimental impact on Floridian families. We know that our state’s governor has made it clear he seeks to support this agenda despite its expected impact on the state’s economy. It is up to us to make sure Floridian families are prepared and supported to counter these threats.
“Through our alliance, we can make sure no one has to live in fear or face these threats to their rights alone.”
Community members are encouraged to call or text the RAISE free hotline at 888-600-5762 to request information, legal referrals, or report abusive enforcement actions. A phone and web-based app with resources to support the immigrant community is forthcoming.
