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Know Your Rights

ICE Check-In Coverage: Volunteer Quick Guide

Everything you need to know for your shift at the ICE facility.

Before You Leave Home

What to Bring

  • Charged phone
  • Water and snack
  • Comfortable shoes (you'll be standing)
  • Sun protection: hat, sunglasses, sunscreen
  • Rain protection: umbrella, jacket
  • This quick guide
  • Printed materials (if you have them — if not, the previous volunteer will hand them off)

Printed Materials

DocumentCopiesPurpose
Tracker Log2Log arrivals and departures
Check-In Sheet10Collect info from families (optional)

If you can't print, don't stress. The previous volunteer will have materials.

Getting There

Address

603 San Juan Ave
Stockton, CA 95203

Open in Maps

Parking

Park anywhere outside of the circle in front of the facility. We leave that space open for families who are waiting for their loved ones to come back out.

Where to Stand

  • Stand on the public sidewalk across from the facility entrance
  • Stay 20-30 feet away from the entrance doors
  • Do NOT stand in the parking lot, driveway, or on facility property
  • If there's a fence or barrier, stay on the public side

Look For

  • Previous volunteer holding a clipboard
  • Other community members with flyers

Arrival & Handoff

Duration: 15 Minutes Early

When you arrive 15 minutes before your shift:

  1. 1

    Find the previous volunteer (look for clipboard)

  2. 2

    Get briefed:

    • • Any incidents or unusual activity?
    • • Anyone currently inside?
    • • Any updates from WCU?
  3. 3

    Receive materials: Clipboard with tracker log

  4. 4

    Confirm your position and begin observing

During Your Shift

What You DO

ActionHow
Log arrivalsNote time, description (no names unless offered), who they're with
Log departuresNote time, same person? How long were they inside?
Be a calm presenceSmile, nod, don't pressure anyone
Call for help if neededSee Emergency Protocol below

What You DON'T Do

Don'tWhy
Interfere with ICEYou could be arrested; it doesn't help
Give legal adviceYou're not a lawyer; say "I'm not a lawyer, but here's a resource"
Block doors, driveways, vehiclesStay on public sidewalk
Photograph families or license platesProtects their privacy and safety
Share logs on social mediaLogs are confidential
Answer questions about anyone's immigration statusYou don't have to; they can't make you

If Someone Is Detained

Priority: Critical

Don't panic. Follow these steps:

  1. 1

    Note the time on your tracker log

  2. 2

    Note description of the person (clothing, approximate age, who they were with)

  3. 3

    Ask family/friends (if present): Do they have a lawyer? Do they have an emergency contact? Do they want us to call someone?

  4. 4

    Call the VWN Hotline: (559) 206-0151

  5. 5

    Text WCU: 209-842-3232 with details

  6. 6

    Stay calm and continue observing

  7. 7

    Offer the Emergency Resource Guide to family members

Call VWN: (559) 206-0151 Text WCU: 209-842-3232

Safety Reminders

If ICE or Security Approaches You

  • Stay calm and polite
  • You are allowed to observe from public property
  • You do NOT have to answer questions about your own or anyone else's immigration status
  • If asked to move, step back to the public sidewalk
  • If threatened, do not argue — step back

If You Feel Unsafe

  • Trust your instincts
  • Step back from the area
  • Call WCU immediately: 209-842-3232
  • You can leave if you need to

Your safety comes first.

Recording Video

If you choose to record:

  • Focus on ICE agents and the building
  • Do NOT record families' faces or license plates
  • Keep your phone secure
  • Do not livestream

End of Shift & Handoff

Standard Handoff

15 minutes before your shift ends:

  1. 1

    Look for the next volunteer

  2. 2

    Brief them: Any incidents? Anyone currently inside? Any updates?

  3. 3

    Hand off: Clipboard with tracker log

  4. 4

    Thank them and head out

If You Have the Last Shift of the Day (ends at 5pm)

Take all completed logs to the WCU mail slot. Look for a WCU flyer taped to the door.

Get Directions to WCU Mail Slot

Key Contacts

WhoNumberWhen to Call
WCU209-842-3232Any questions, running late, safety concerns, no-show volunteer
VWN Hotline559-206-0151Someone is detained
Emergency911Medical emergency, immediate physical danger

Quick Responses

If Asked "Are You With ICE?"

If Asked to Leave by Security

Reminders

  • Arrive 15 minutes early
  • You are an observer, not a lawyer or security
  • Stay on public property
  • Log everything
  • Call WCU if anything feels wrong: 209-842-3232
  • Your presence matters

Thank you for standing with immigrant workers in San Joaquin County.