South Asian Coalition

Immigration Resources for South Asians (January 2025)

January 25, 2025

During this very challenging week, members of the South Asian American Policy Working Group have been meeting and coordinating, listening to our community members, analyzing executive orders, and developing community defense resources. Below is some information about immigration resources, and you can find more in our Rapid Response center.

Facts about South Asians and Immigration

  • In 2022, Indians comprised the 3rd largest undocumented population in the country, according to estimates from the Pew Research Center. 
  • Between Oct. 2022 and Sept. 2023, 96,917 Indian migrants were encountered — meaning, apprehended, expelled, or denied entry — at the northern and southern borders without papers, a 5x increase from the same period from 2019 to 2020 (19,883), according to US CBP. 
  • South Asian immigrants seeking asylum face life-threatening conditions at the border, such as the tragic case of Gurupreet Kaur, a 6-year-old who died from heatstroke after crossing the Southern border with her mother.
  • More than 1.2 million Indians, including dependents, are waiting in line for green cards, according to the National Foundation for American Policy analysis.
  • Baljinder Singh was the first person to be denaturalized under Operation Janus (Trump 1.0), a Department of Homeland Security probe that identified 315,000 immigrants for potential denaturalization.

Below are Know Your Rights resources.

Muslims for Just Futures KYR Resource Hub: https://www.muslimsforjustfutures.org/blog/immigrationkyr 

Muslims for Just Futures Door Posters, including posters in:

English; Punjabi; Urdu; Hindi; Bangla; Nepali

Print and keep ILRC Red Cards that state your rights, including cards in 

Arabic | English | Farsi | Pashto | Punjabi | Spanish  

Immigration Defense Project Guides in Arabic, Bangla, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu: https://www.immigrantdefenseproject.org/ know-your-rights-with-ice/

General Immigration KYR Guides from the ACLU in Arabic, Farsi, Hindi, and Urdu: https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/immigrants-rights

What to do if you are arrested: Arabic | Spanish | English

What to do if ICE comes to your workplace: 

Watch In-Language Info Videos from ACLU + Brooklyn Defenders via MJF 

When Encountering ICE: Spanish | Urdu | English | Arabic | Punjabi

What do I do if my loved one is detained? 

If you have any problems with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or Customs and Border Protection (CBP), please call 1-844-363-1423, UWD’s MigraWatch Hotline, as well as your Senator or Representative, who may be able to talk with ICE on your behalf. 

 Attend a Community Gathering to Learn More

1/30, 5:30 pm CT: Hybrid Virtual/In-person Post-Inauguration Ek Saath community inauguration debrief. Visit @indoamericancenter to learn more and register to attend virtually at: bit.ly/EkSaathJan25. 

Stay Updated on New Executive Orders on Immigration Policy

Visit the Guttentag Immigration Policy Tracking Project.

How to support the community 

Moments like this when our community is at risk are often referred to as “rapid response” times. Here are some strategies you can use to help defend yourself during this rapid response period: 

Document: 

  • Let the world know what’s happening. “Document” means taking photos, videos, audio recordings, notes, and keeping track of what you hear, see, and experience. 
  • The public will not understand the impact otherwise and may ignore news about the raids. Community media and stories can make sure that the public doesn’t look the other way. Learn more about how to document ICE raids here and here. 

Defend with resources and representation. 

Deepen partnerships by volunteering with local groups)

  • Groups like United We Dream and Muslims for Just Futures are often in need of volunteers. 
  • Search for your local “migra” (migrant) watch to offer your support to monitor for ICE.  
  • Reach out to local unions, schools, churches, and other institutions to gather information and coordinate community defense efforts.

Design a plan for your neighborhood to stay safe. 

  • Map out the local agencies that may help an ICE raid, including where they operate, where they may detain people, and what times they typically conduct raids (often in the early morning).
  • Create a neighborhood ICE watch to coordinate community defense. Start a phone tree or a Signal thread to alert vulnerable folks in your community. Tap into local organizations to support you with training and information. 

Demand that local governments protect all people in your community, including those who are undocumented. 

  • If not, ask your local city council to pass a resolution or ordinance agreeing that your town will not provide logistical support for enforcement actions, such as personnel, transportation, or technology.
  • Does your city have a policy in place to prohibit local authorities from cooperating with ICE? Check here.