PIRC is Tabling outside the Macadam Building!
PIRC (Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition) is a non-profit organization. Since 2005, the organization has demonstrated its ability to mobilize large numbers of people, provide crucial services during critical moments (like ICE raids), and adapt its structure to meet evolving needs. This blog post is created to shed light on who the people are tabling outside of the ICE building on Macadam in Portland, Oregon. The table outside the Macadam ICE building is a collaboration between PIRC’s volunteers, the Interfaith Movement for Immigrant Justice (IMIrJ), and the CLEAR Clinic.
Clarity on whether you have an appointment
Help answer questions
Provide emotional support
Connect the community to resources
These volunteers are not affiliated with ICE or any government agency. They know that entering or coming near this building can be stressful, but they are there to remind you that you are not alone. If you do have an appointment, please call the PIRC hotline ahead of time so that we are as prepared as possible to support you.
HOTLINE: 1-888-622-1510
So why are these organizations outside of the ICE building?
Community members are required to attend ICE appointments as part of their legal process. These appointments may be scheduled in advance or with just a few hours' notice. Not everyone is detained at these appointments - most are not - but some people have been detained at this site. ICE does not allow anyone other than an attorney to enter the building with someone who has an appointment. That's why volunteers are there: to make sure everyone knows their rights and can access a rapid legal response in case of detention.
How can the community get involved and support these organizations?
Going to an ICE appointment can be really scary. However, PIRC wants everyone to know that there is support available if you have to go to one, and everyone can support this effort!
Ways to get involved are by sharing this information with your community. Let our communities know that PIRC and these organizations are outside the building and that you can talk to them before going in to receive support, alongside before entering, and share with our communities that they can call PIRC in advance.
When reaching out to PIRC’s hotline, please remember to only share verified information about ICE detentions at the building. Sharing unverified information can cause panic, and that's exactly what ICE wants.
To get updates in real time, feel free to join PIRC’s WhatsApp Channel:
https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb9hn2kHbFV0enQRVG1E
PIRC’s Resources: https://pircoregon.org/resources
