"Know Your Rights When Encountering Law Enforcement"
The beginning of 2008 marked a period of high anxiety in the Washtenaw County area. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials conducted a series of immigration raids in the area that disrupted our community and violated individuals' rights.
In response, the Washtenaw County Worker Center (WCWC) held a series of "Know Your Rights" workshops designed with our partners from the University of Michigan Law School. These workshops aimed to educate our members and their families about their rights when encountering law enforcement. They also served as an outlet in which community members could voice their concerns, then come together and develop ways to collectively respond. The workshops were held during our monthly Workers' Rights Committee meetings and were open to the public.
The "Know Your Rights Workshop" was conducted by five members of the Michigan Immigration and Labor Law Association (MILLA) (see Partners & Allies page).
The students did legal research to understand the basic rights of undocumented immigrants in interactions with law enforcement officials in the home, workplace, and street. For example, if an immigration agent knocks on someone’s door, the homeowner does not have to open it unless the officer has a valid warrant signed by a judge. The law students put this information into an engaging, interactive format: the workshop began with a short video presentation, followed by an explanation of basic rights in different scenarios, and then a series of skits involving audience members to demonstrate the ways to handle law enforcement officials or ICE agents. The session ended with a period of questions and discussion.
"What to do if you are Stopped by the Police"
This workshop was led by students in the Michigan Clinical Law Program at the University of Michigan Law School. They built on the earlier workshop and educated WCWC members about their rights when stopped by law enforcement officers. Members shared personal stories and asked the students question regarding how to respond in certain circumstances.
"Anti-Profiling Ordinance"
Students from the University of Michigan Clinical Law Program held a workshop in which the students and community members worked together to draft an anti-profiling ordinance. The students presented their research on anti-profiling ordinances passed in other cities and asked members what they wanted to include in such an ordinance.
"How to Prepare for Returning to Your Home Country"
This workshop, also led by Michigan Clinical Law Program law students, educated community members about how to prepare for returning to their countries of origin. Whether returning voluntarily or otherwise, the students explained how to be prepared. We talked about powers of attorney, getting school records in order to register children in school in another country, and getting US passports for children who are citizens of the United States. We also discussed how to make sure children are cared for while someone is in detention. The students urged community members to devise plans in the event that they would be leaving involuntarily.
"Green Cleaning"
Twelve workers and the WCWC Board and staff participated in our first “green cleaning” training, using materials developed by several workers’ centers in the National Domestic Workers Alliance network. We learned how to rank hazardous materials in order of which are most dangerous, what to do in the event of exposure, and how to make cleaning agents that are just as effective and more environment- and worker-friendly than many of the more expensive products on the market. We will hold this workshop again as new members join and wish to do the training.
"Child and Infant CRP"
This workshop was run with help from the Red Cross. Members learned important emergency and safety skills. This workshop gives childcare givers, parents, and employers peace of mind about their child's safety. Attendees learned how to recognize emergencies, how to care for a child or infant who is choking, how to recognize and care for a child or infant who is not breathing, and how to care for cardiac emergencies.
"How to Negotiate"
This workshop was designed to empower workers to negotiate with their employers to get better pay and treatment. The training includes a skit, small-group discussions, and tips on negotiation. Unfortunately, not all negotiations turn out positively, but these tips will help workers be prepared with a negotiation plan, confidence, and good body language.
"Know-Your-Rights"
In this workshop, attendees learn their rights as workers. We include information about local labor laws, wage an hour laws, and overtime laws.