President Donald Trump’s order to deport immigrants living in the US illegally left many undocumented people and their families feeling unsettled.
In response, immigrant rights advocates are mobilizing to spread information about how to better prepare for encounters with immigration officials.
“Fear debilitates you,” community organizer Jorge Mujica said. “We are in a full campaign against fear. Good information organizes, so what we are doing is giving people good information.”
Mujica is a longtime community organizer from Chicago. He’s traveling the state leading “Know Your Rights” workshops.
On Wed., he told about 12 attendees of a workshop at the Peoria Public Library to treat deportation as they would a fire or tornado: Have a plan of action and an exit strategy.
For instance, he says, “identify someone to look after your kids if you’ve been detained.”
First United Methodist Chuch Pastor Adrian Garcia attended the workshop and says he’ll use this information to better inform members of his congregation.
First United Methodist is hosting a similar workshop with the advocacy group, "No Ban, No Wall," on Apr. 2.