#Immigration resources

[electricswamp]

posting this to spread the word. know your rights. it's very important to know what you can do and how you can do it. this is from:

[nervousyoungloser]

resources for the incoming USA administration

i compiled a list of resources -- although short -- for those in the united states who are scared for or unsure about these next few years. please always stay strong and connected to your communities. your existence is resistance.

https://linktr.ee/eliasdecaro

if you have any proposals for links to add, feel free to suggest them!

[visas-connect]

Title: Understanding the Timeline: Receiving an Invitation from Express Entry after Applying for a Provincial Nomination

Introduction: The Express Entry system has become a popular pathway for skilled workers to obtain permanent residence in Canada. If you are considering applying for a provincial nomination through Express Entry, it's essential to understand the timeline involved in receiving an invitation. In this blog, we will explore the factors that affect the processing time and provide you with insights to manage your expectations.

Factors Affecting the Processing Time:

Province or Territory: The processing time for provincial nominations can vary depending on the province or territory. Each region has its own administrative procedures and resources, which can influence the speed at which they process nominations. For example, British Columbia is known for its relatively shorter processing times compared to other provinces like Ontario.

Demand for Skilled Workers: The demand for skilled workers in a particular province or territory also impacts the processing time. If a region is experiencing a high demand for skilled professionals in specific occupations, the processing of nominations in that area may be expedited. Conversely, if the demand is lower, it may take longer to receive an invitation.

Express Entry Profile Score: Your Express Entry profile score plays a significant role in determining the likelihood and speed of receiving an invitation. A higher profile score indicates a stronger match with the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) requirements, increasing your chances of receiving an invitation sooner. It's crucial to continuously improve your profile score by enhancing factors such as language proficiency, education, work experience, and additional qualifications.

Managing Your Expectations: While we provide general information on processing times, it's important to note that individual cases can vary. The actual processing time depends on a variety of circumstances unique to your situation. However, here are some practical steps to help you manage your expectations:

Stay Informed: Regularly check the official websites of the province or territory that nominated you for any updates on processing times. These platforms usually provide estimated processing times and relevant information to keep you informed.

Be Patient: The processing time for nominations can range from a few weeks to several months. Patience is key during this period. Avoid unnecessary stress by acknowledging that the process takes time, and factors beyond your control can affect the timeline.

Monitor Express Entry System: Keep a close eye on the Express Entry system to check for any updates regarding your invitation. The system will notify you if you have been invited to apply for permanent residence. Stay proactive and ensure you have provided accurate and up-to-date information in your Express Entry profile.

Conclusion: Receiving an invitation from Express Entry after applying for a provincial nomination requires understanding the factors that influence the processing time. Factors such as the province or territory, demand for skilled workers, and your Express Entry profile score all play a role. By staying informed, managing expectations, and remaining patient, you can navigate through the process more effectively.

Remember, each case is unique, and there are no guarantees regarding specific timelines. If you have concerns or require further clarification, consider consulting with immigration professionals who can provide personalised advice based on your circumstances. Good luck with your Express Entry journey towards Canadian permanent residence! Read More

[tumble-tv]

ICE raids are happening.

Any immigrants, no matter how long you have been a citizen of the USA, is at risk of being deported either out of the country as a whole or into what are basically concentration camps. Raids starting in Chicago, Illinois. and spreading to other major cities with high POC and Hispanic populations. The US Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) have started raiding homes and families in California.

There are no "protected locations" as of January 21, 2025. Hospitals, schools, and churches are all at risk of being raided, where before these places were deemed safe and off limits to raids.

When it comes to spotting an ICE agent, look for these:

Weirdly neat/well kept hair (shaved heads, side parts, military burs for men; low buns, high ponytails, close cropped bobs for women)

Oversized jacket (long and bulky outerwear makes it easier to hide tools/equipment without being suspicious)

Both hands in pockets

Many undercover agents/cops buy cheap plain clothes off the racks so they aren’t seen in their own clothes. This can make their outfit seem awkward

Sweatshirts with the hood up

Sports apparel (warm up jacket, sweats, etc) with non-sports clothes (jeans, cargo shorts)

Cargo pants/shorts (usually full of items like their badge, flashlight, taser, pepper spray, backup handcuffs, zip ties)

Military or hiking style boots, sometimes chunky sneakers (extra points if none of it matches anything in their outfit)

Outline of a gun in their pants/shirt (easy to see when bending, leaning, or raising arms) (NO NOT SAY ANYTHING)

Overly friendly

Overly inquisitive

“How old are you” and “what do you know about this happening” are both red flags, along with generally odd and personal questions

Don’t fit in

Mismatched pairs in public spaces (usually cops do these things in pairs. They don’t talk to each other or acknowledge each other much, if at all)

DO NOT SAY ANYTHING UNTIL YOU ARE 100% SURE

YOUR BEST BET IS NOT TO SAY ANYTHING UNTIL THE SUSPECT STARTS ACTING OFF AND GETTING PUSHY

COPS ARE NOT OBLIGATED TO TELL YOU THAT THEY ARE UNDERCOVER

COPS CAN AND WILL LIE TO YOU

SCREAM “LA MIGRA” AT THE TOP OF YOUR LUNGS

For protesting:

N95 masks

Respirator/gas mask if you have access to one

Water water water water water (I hate to say it, but disposable one use bottles are best here. If it comes to it, you need to be able to drop and run.) Use for flushing wounds, flushing eyes of tear gas, and of course drinking.

Snacks! You'll be doing a lot of walking and/or running and need to keep that energy up. Trail mix, dried fruit, nuts, granola bars, crackers, jerky/meat sticks, fruit snacks, candy, etc. Think of it like packing your lunchbox for a field trip.

Eyedrops (teargas is a bitch)

Goggles (I bring my old snowboarding goggles)

If you are wearing a t-shirt or have exposed skin, put on fake/temporary tattoos. If you are brought into something and they say you were there, showing a picture of you with the tattoos, show them where that tattoo would be and how there’s nothing there. How would you get rid of a giant flower on your forearm in 2 days anyways?

Wigs fall under the same category as tattoos. The person they're claiming to be you has a blonde bob and you have green hair past your shoulders.It also makes it possible to go with a completely different color without the use of hair dye. This means if they try to arrest you later and try to prove it was you by taking your hair and testing for dye, it won't come back the way they hope. (Thank you @violetrosepetals for this addition!)

Hide your hair. I tuck my hair into my beanie since it’s short. If you have longer hair, try to do the same or tuck it into your shirt. Balaclavas are also a good choice, as they cover both your face and hair.

Power bank

Chargers

Helmet. Any is fine, my personal choice is a skating helmet since they’re rounder and can take more damage, but tactical is also good

Hand sanitizer

Gloves with hard knuckles (tactical gloves). These pack a good punch even if you don't have the correct form. Don't have those? Wrist guards for roller skating/skateboarding work kinda like that too. More of a slapping motion, but still hurt like a bitch. Extra points if they're all scuffed up from use and falls.

Bandanas. Somebody might need one for their face or hair, maybe you need to get dirt off somebody’s face, maybe somebody got injured. They’re great for anything and everything.

Cash (try to stick to cash, your card can be tracked)

Medications if you take them. If you get arrested or happen to somehow be away for longer than expected after the protest, it’s always good to have emergency meds

FIRST AID ALL THE FIRST AID (Tourniquet, Quikclot, chest seal, trauma shears, gauze, bandages, duct tape, and all the usual stuff you’d have in there)

Good shoes. Boots and sneakers are your best choices. Not heels, not platforms, not sandals. Good boots or shoes that won't come off your feet too easily when you run. Steel toed shoes are a great option. Your toes won't be squashed, but also it'll hurt someone a lot more if you start kicking.

Spare socks. Trust me. You can use them to stop bleeding if it comes to it, but also you can put rocks in there and boom weapon. Also if the socks you're wearing get wet.

As much covering clothing as you can handle. Plain jeans, plain hoodie, plain t-shirt, keep yourself as anonymous as possible. Black and baggy is best.

Photocopy of your ID, not your real one.

Sunscreen!

Make sure your clothes have pockets, even if you have a bag. You want everything to be easily accessible.

Do not wear contact lenses. If tear gas is used, that will make everything so much worse. Wear your glasses or go blind. If you have overly unique or identifiable frames, goggles are your friend here. Get some goggles that will fit over your frames, preferably ones that are tinted.

If you use mobility aids, cover defining features. Logos, brand names, colors, stickers, all of it. Take some old plain t-shirt and tie it around your wheelchair’s backrest. Wrap your wheelchair frame in cling wrap, then duct tape, or plain black self adhering medical tape. Cover stickers on your cane or crutches the same way. Electric chair? You have a little more work, but you can do it. Wrap it up. Same idea. Walker? Same thing. Cover. It. All.

If you are bringing a bag, make sure that bag is as plain as possible. No pins. No patches. No keychains. Except maybe a pride flag so people know which team you're playing on.

Scarf or keffiyeh if you have one. They have many uses!

Write a reliable phone number (of someone who is not at the protest with you) on your body. On the off chance you get arrested, that is your emergency contact.

Pocket knife.

Pepper spray/mace/bear spray

if you get tear gassed, shake around first before using water. Most tear gas is more of a powder and water has a high likelihood of just spreading it around. (Thank you @actually-a-bread-loaf for this addition!)

Tennis rackets also work wonderfully for chucking tear gas canisters back at those throwing them. Anybody asks, you're going out to play tennis with friends later. Baseball bats also work! (Thank you @azul-nova-24 for this addition!)

Anything you can throw. Soup for my family.

IF YOU CAN, LEAVE YOUR PHONE AT HOME

IF YOU HAVE TO TAKE IT WITH YOU, TURN OFF LOCATION SERVICES ON ALL APPS AND TURN OFF BIOMETRICS (FACE ID AND FINGERPRINT) SO YOU CAN ONLY UNLOCK YOUR PHONE WITH YOUR PASSWORD

COPS CAN FORCE YOU TO OPEN YOUR PHONE WITH YOUR FINGERPRINT OR FACE ID

MAKE SURE SOMEBODY KNOWS GENERALLY WHERE YOU ARE

If you see a potential or active raid, take pictures and note the time and location. Post online if you can, as well.

You have the right to remain silent. State that you wish to remain silent. Avoid giving information about anybody's immigration status. You have the right to refuse to sign anything before speaking to an attorney. You have the right to refuse searches of your car, your home, and yourself. Schools do not collect a child's immigration status.

I do not want to scare anybody, but this is what life is right now. That man does not care how long you have been a citizen of this country. If you are not a white, cisgender, heterosexual, Christian male, you are seen as less than by men in power. You are not less than. You are a threat to them, and they are scared. Keep it that way.

Even if you're not currently protesting, it's good to know this just in case. Things are happening very quickly, and there is a very high chance of it changing very quickly within the next four years.

Here's the link to my post on what to bring in terms of first aid.

If you cannot attend protests, that’s fine. Do what’s best for you. Even just reposting information helps.

This is an updated version of this post,

Updated January 27, 2025.

[profeminist]

If ICE Shows Up at Your Door, Know Your Rights!

Do NOT open the door. ICE does not have the right to enter your home without a valid warrant signed by a judge.

Remain calm. Don’t run and most importantly do not lie about your name, age, immigration status, etc. Anything you say or do can be used against you.

Do not sign anything. Ask to have documents translated. If you do not speak English ask for an interpreter. Have an attorney look over any documents that ICE gives you.

Make a family plan. If you have children, identify a caretaker.

Record. If you witness someone being detained by ICE, you have the right to record as long as you do not interfere with the arrest. Pictures, videos, and any information you can gather, can help verify an immigration raid and also help someone’s immigration case.

DOWNLOAD THIS GRAPHIC: https://maketheroadny.org/we-protect-us/

[thosemotivationalquotes]

List of cities in the U.S. that are suspected to have ICE raids in the next week

Chicago

Los Angeles

Denver

New York

Miami

Boston

Washington DC

San Antonio

Dallas

Phoenix

Seattle

Detroit

Newark

That being said, make sure to know and exercise your rights. This post outlines what is needed to detain someone, and what to do if you are detained by ICE.

Raids are suspected to continue in large metropolitan cities, with a focus on cities that are considered ‘sanctuary cities’, I will update the list if more places are suspected to be raided. Stay safe everyone

ACLU guide to immigrant rights

[writingwithcolor]

Naming International POC Characters: Do Your Research.

This post is part of a double feature for the same ask. First check out Mod Colette's answer to OP's original question at: A Careful Balance: Portraying a Black Character's Relationship with their Hair. Below are notes on character naming from Mod Rina.

~ ~ ~

@writingraccoon said:

My character is black in a dungeons and dragons-like fantasy world. His name is Kazuki Haile (pronounced hay-lee), and his mother is this world's equivalent of Japanese, which is where his first name is from, while his father is this world's equivalent of Ethiopian, which is where his last name is from. He looks much more like his father, and has hair type 4a. [...]

Hold on a sec.

Haile (pronounced hay-lee), [...] [H]is father is this world’s equivalent of Ethiopian, which is where his last name is from. 

OP, where did you get this name? Behindthename.com, perhaps?

Note how it says, “Submitted names are contributed by users of this website. Check marks indicate the level to which a name has been verified.” Do you see any check marks, OP? 

What language is this, by the way? If we only count official languages, Ethiopia has 5: Afar, Amharic, Oromo, Somali, & Tigrinya. If we count everything native to that region? Over 90 languages. And I haven't even mentioned the dormant/extinct ones. Do you know which language this name comes from? Have you determined Kazuki’s father’s ethnic group, religion, and language(s)? Do you know just how ethnically diverse Ethiopia is? 

~ ~ ~

To All Looking for Character Names on the Internet:

Skip the name aggregators and baby name lists. They often do not cite their sources, even if they’re pulling from credible ones, and often copy each other. 

If you still wish to use a name website, find a second source that isn’t a name website. 

Find at least one real life individual, living or dead, who has this given name or surname. Try Wikipedia’s lists of notable individuals under "List of [ethnicity] people." You can even try searching Facebook! Pay attention to when these people were born for chronological accuracy/believability. 

Make sure you know the language the name comes from, and the ethnicity/culture/religion it’s associated with. 

Make sure you understand the naming practices of that culture—how many names, where they come from, name order, and other conventions. 

Make sure you have the correct pronunciation of the name. Don’t always trust Wikipedia or American pronunciation guides on Youtube. Try to find a native speaker or language lesson source, or review the phonology & orthography and parse out the string one phoneme at a time. 

Suggestions for web sources:

Wikipedia! Look for: “List of [language] [masculine/feminine] given names,” “List of most common [language] family names,” “List of most common surnames in [continent],” and "List of [ethnicity] people."  

Census data! Harder to find due to language barriers & what governments make public, but these can really nail period accuracy. This may sound obvious, but look at the year of the character's birth, not the year your story takes place. 

Forums and Reddit. No really. Multicultural couples and expats will often ask around for what to name their children. There’s also r/namenerds, where so many folks have shared names in their language that they now have “International Name Threads.” These are all great first-hand sources for name connotations—what’s trendy vs. old-fashioned, preppy vs. nerdy, or classic vs. overused vs. obscure. 

~ ~ ~

Luckily for OP, I got very curious and did some research. More on Ethiopian & Eritrean naming, plus mixed/intercultural naming and my recommendations for this character, under the cut. It's really interesting, I promise!

Ethiopian and Eritrean Naming Practices

Haile (IPA: /həjlə/ roughly “hy-luh.” Both a & e are /ə/, a central “uh” sound) is a phrase meaning “power of” in Ge’ez, sometimes known as Classical Ethiopic, which is an extinct/dormant Semitic language that is now used as a liturgical language in Ethiopian churches (think of how Latin & Sanskrit are used today). So it's a religious name, and was likely popularized by the regnal name of the last emperor of Ethiopia, Haile Selassie (“Power of the Trinity”). Ironically, for these reasons it is about as nationalistically “Ethiopian” as a name can get.

Haile is one of the most common “surnames” ever in Ethiopia and Eritrea. Why was that in quotes? Because Ethiopians and Eritreans don’t have surnames. Historically, when they needed to distinguish themselves from others with the same given name, they affixed their father’s given name, and then sometimes their grandfather’s. In modern Ethiopia and Eritrea, their given name is followed by a parent’s (usually father’s) name. First-generation diaspora abroad may solidify this name into a legal “surname” which is then consistently passed down to subsequent generations.

Intercultural Marriages and Naming

This means that Kazuki’s parents will have to figure out if there will be a “surname” going forward, and who it applies to. Your easiest and most likely option is that Kazuki’s dad would have chosen to make his second name (Kazuki’s grandpa’s name) the legal “surname.” The mom would have taken this name upon marriage, and Kazuki would inherit it also. Either moving abroad or the circumstances of the intercultural marriage would have motivated this. Thus “Haile” would be grandpa’s name, and Kazuki wouldn’t be taking his “surname” from his dad. This prevents the mom & Kazuki from having different “surnames.” But you will have to understand and explain where the names came from and the decisions dad made to get there. Otherwise, this will ring culturally hollow and indicate a lack of research.

Typically intercultural parents try to

come up with a first name that is pronounceable in both languages,

go with a name that is the dominant language of where they live, or

compromise and pick one parent’s language, depending on the circumstances.

Option 1 and possibly 3 requires figuring out which language is the father’s first language. Unfortunately, because of the aforementioned national ubiquity of Haile, you will have to start from scratch here and figure out his ethnic group, religion (most are Ethiopian Orthodox and some Sunni Muslim), and language(s). 

But then again, writing these characters knowledgeably and respectfully also requires figuring out that information anyway.

~ ~ ~

Names and naming practices are so, so diverse. Do research into the culture and language before picking a name, and never go with only one source.

~ Mod Rina

[fakeoldmanfucker]

attention if you're in Chicago or know people who are

Trump's incoming administration is planning a mass deportation on this coming Tuesday, January the 21st. This has been reported in the Wall Street Journal, with reports of up to 200 officers preparing to be sent there. The administration plans to "make an example" of sanctuary cities such as Chicago.

Below are resources, one national and one specific to Illinois, for immigrants:

[rebel-girl-queen-of-my-world]

IMMIGRANT RIGHTS RESOURCES (forwarding from a friend -- share widely)

Hope you are having a blessed day! With the help of a friend, I have compiled a list of resources that provide info in several different languages regarding immigrant rights.  I am sharing these links to resources with you and others because we never know who will come into our orbit that might need help or the orbit of others dear to us. This is by no means a complete list but it useful and helpful nonetheless.

Immigrant Rights Resources 

Flyers regarding immigrant rights if ICE raids the home, workplace or arrest them in the street. 

https://www.aila.org/library/know-your-rights-handouts-if-ice-visits-public

Red Cards (template to be printed and laminated) are small cards that immigrants can carry in their language which would have course of action if they get stoped but also in the back it explains to the ice agent in English that the person being stopped is instituting their rights under the la which applies to them. 

https://www.masslegalservices.org/content/red-card-templates

https://www.ilrc.org/red-cards-tarjetas-rojas

National Immigration Law Center Press Release:

https://www.nilc.org/press/nilc-statement-on-reports-that-trump-plans-to-revoke-policy-safeguarding-schools-churches-from-ice/

Undocumented Immigrants’ Rights Under the United States Constitution

https://www.accessiblelaw.untdallas.edu/post/undocumented-immigrants-rights-under-the-united-states-constitution

Daily Immigration News Clips 2025

https://www.aila.org/library/daily-immigration-news-clips-january-14-2025

Also here are some local immigrant rights groups throughout MA that could be helpful to people (depending on geography)

Massachusetts Immigrant rights groups!

https://miracoalition.org/

https://www.ifsi-usa.org/

https://braziliancenter.org/

https://www.truealliancecenter.org/8203achievements.html

https://bcnc.net/

https://cct-newbedford.org/

my addition: https://www.beyondbondboston.org/

[heritageposts]

Impossible Exodus: Iraqi Jews in Israel

By Orit Bashkin (2017, Standford University Press)

Between 1949 and 1951, 123,000 Iraqi Jews immigrated to the newly established Israeli state. Lacking the resources to absorb them all, the Israeli government resettled them in maabarot, or transit camps, relegating them to poverty. In the tents and shacks of the camps, their living conditions were squalid and unsanitary. Basic necessities like water were in short supply, when they were available at all. Rather than returning to a homeland as native sons, Iraqi Jews were newcomers in a foreign place. Impossible Exodus tells the story of these Iraqi Jews' first decades in Israel. Faced with ill treatment and discrimination from state officials, Iraqi Jews resisted: they joined Israeli political parties, demonstrated in the streets, and fought for the education of their children, leading a civil rights struggle whose legacy continues to influence contemporary debates in Israel. Orit Bashkin sheds light on their everyday lives and their determination in a new country, uncovering their long, painful transformation from Iraqi to Israeli. In doing so, she shares the resilience and humanity of a community whose story has yet to be told.

[chewingbunny]

Share!!!

[chelledoggo]

need help compiling a list of crisis lines and resources

can anyone help me?

i'm working on a video about my thoughts about things post-election.

in the desctiption, i wanna include links/numbers for crisis lines (especially for marginalized groups, but also for anyone in general), as well as some links to organizations/charities that people can check out if they want to help out (especially for LGBTQ+/BIPOC/women/disabled/immigrants/impoverished people in the US, and possibly also for Palestine and Ukraine.)

can you help me compile a list?

(if you can find me an already made google doc or carrd or something similar with all these on it that'd be even better but if not i totally get it)

[doctorguilty]

My sister linked me this community resource yesterday for me to share on my blog--this is an interactive map where people can anonymously report sightings of ICE officials, so people in the area can be warned.

I can't attest to how reliable it is since I've only just found out about it.. but I figure any possible resource is worth sharing!

[profeminist]

Warrant Poster by Make the Road New York

Get more resources here and please share!!

[makymakvrchat]

Penalties when hiring illegal migrants aka aliens

[fakeoldmanfucker]

Resources for immigration raids:

There's information here in both English and Spanish, organized federally and also by state