Letter writing to Moshannon Detainee
Supporting Immigrants in our Communities
Montgomery County is home to 95,000 individuals born elsewhere, accounting for 11% of the population. While many immigrants from Latin America are clustered in Norristown and the surrounding area, foreign-born residents coming from all over the globe, including significant populations from Asia, Southeast Asia, and Africa, live and work in every township and borough of the county.
The impact of ICE activity and detentions has torn apart families. In some cases, the detained individual is the sole breadwinner of their family, meaning local families cannot put food on their tables. Across the communities, people are afraid to leave their homes for work, doctors’ appointments, and daily life. They, too, are suffering.
We’ve compiled a list of actions we can take as neighbors, friends, and supporters to make a positive difference. No one can do everything, but each of us can do something. We’ve organized response efforts along four main categories: Advocacy, Rapid Response, and Mutual Aid.
ADVOCACY
Legal Services. Many immigrant focused organizations are looking for low cost or pro bono lawyers currently accepting new clients. These lawyers are willing to take on immigration or family law cases for low or no cost.
Goldblum Pollins & Dennis
Shahana Farishta
101 Greenwood Ave. Suite 360
215-885-3600
https://www.goldblumfirm.com/shahana-farishta
Free Migration Project
David Bennison
Philadelphia
646-441-0741
https://freemigrationproject.org/our-work/legal-services/
Tatiana S. Aristova Immigration Law Practice
Tatiana S. Aristova
221 West Street Road, Trevose, PA 19053
215-355-9095
https://www.immigrationwise.com
Voloshen Law Firm
Igor A. Voloshen
611 County Line Road Suite A, Huntingdon Valley PA 19006
215-437-7854
https://www.voloshenlaw.com/our-team/igor-a-voloshen/
Patronizing Immigrant Businesses. Immigrant owned businesses could use our support as they are facing many operational challenges at this time. When shopping or dining out, consider supporting a local immigrant owned small business.
RAPID RESPONSE
Norristown Rapid Response is activated when ICE (or rumors of ICE) is present in Norristown to monitor, track, observe, and provide immediate assistance. This is PEACEFUL and NON-VIOLENT action. You must be available in or near Norristown at a moment’s notice. Local Rapid Response Networks are forming in other communities in Montgomery County. If you’d like to be connected with folks near you, email: montcowatch@gmail.com.
How can you help?
IF YOU SUSPECT ICE ACTIVITY:
Call: Montco Community Watch at 267-279-9205
Provide the following information:
MUTUAL AID/FINANCIAL SUPPORT
The Woori Center (Landsdale) provides direct support for the Asian Community.
CCATE (Cultural Center for Arts, Work, and Education) provides a variety of services and is establishing a legal defense fund.
Unides Para Servir Norristown provides direct support to families impacted by ICE Raids and the current environment. Donate through Venmo to @unidesparaservirnorristown
Unides Para Servir is also collecting gift cards to give directly to families. They have requested cards from Aldi’s, Walmart, and Visa (denominations between $20 and $50.) Cards can be dropped off at Unides (335 W Marshall St, Norristown), Recycle, Read Repeat Book Store (208 Cherry St, Norristown).
Kate’s Casa supports recently arrived immigrant families in the region by providing essential services like housing assistance, bill relief, ESL classes, legal fee coverage, and even cultural events. Currently, they are providing assistance to families impacted by ICE as well.
Project Libertad empowers newcomer immigrant youth and their families in the Greater Philadelphia Area by providing essential, youth-led, and youth-centered legal and social services. They offer free high quality legal services for youth facing deportation with no right to a court-appointed lawyer, as well as social support, case management, mentorship, community programs, and education and advocacy.
