Legal Observing & Copwatch

 

With the ramp up of ICE, sometimes dressed in camo like terrorists, with masks and huge guns, snatching people off the street without a warrant, legal observing becomes important. Be sure to document what you see (or video). Here's a website with info:

History of Legal Observing

The idea of community members watching law enforcement officers through organized patrols originates from the Black Power Movement. According to the NYC-based Justice Committee, the practice was started by the Black Panther Party in 1966. The Black Panthers conducted armed citizens’ patrols in order to monitor the behavior of law enforcement officers in the Oakland Police Department. This practice later became known as copwatch. Many local activist organizations continue to copwatch today.

The National Lawyers Guild, as the first integrated bar association in the U.S., took components from this practice and developed its Legal Observer® Program in 1968 in New York City in response to protests at Columbia University and city-wide antiwar and racial justice demonstrations. You may read more about NLG’s history in mass defense work here.

Today, legal observing is a distinct practice from copwatch. Legal observing acts as a direct form of protester legal support, connecting activists to a much bigger support infrastructure made up of arrest hotlines, jail support teams, community bail funds and legal defense funds, attorney referral networks, and more.

Monitor, observe, and document government conduct against First Amendment-protected activity,


Provide arrest support for protesters on the ground and help support teams track and help arrested folks, and


Empower activists and serve as a deterrent to unconstitutional behavior by law enforcement

Legal Observers® are one piece of a larger system of legal support infrastructure working to provide activists with the tools and confidence they need to make their voices heard. Official Programs provide their Legal Observers® with neon-green, trademarked hats, which have become a symbol of legal support for progressive movements in the United States and beyond.

MORE:

https://www.nlg.org/massdefenseprogram/los/

Trump Wants to Deport US Citizens / & Letter

 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW

ABOUT DEPORTATIONS

CECOT IS A TERRORIST PRISON

They are in a prison with strict discipline and extreme austerity. No prisoner has ever been released from the CECOT facility, and their contact with the outside world, including attorneys, is nearly zero, even though much of its inmate population is still awaiting trial. ACLU attorney Lee Gelernt told “60 Minutes” that “there’s a real danger” that the men in the CECOT might never see their families again.

The CECOT

Including 17 more people sent on March 30, the administration has transferred 278 people (whom we know of) to the CECOT. Two hundred forty-five are Venezuelan, and 33 are Salvadoran. The Venezuelans include the reported 137 removed under the Alien Enemies Act.

(https://www.wola.org/2025/04/weekly-u-s-mexico-border-update-supreme-court-el-salvador-renditions-mass-deportation/) 

Most of them were sent there without any due process. The Supreme Court ruled 9-0 that Kilmar Abrego Garcia must be returned from El Salvador. So far, he has not been.

(CNBC, Supreme Court rules U.S. must facilitate return of Kilmar Abrego Garcia from El Salvador; Published Thu, Apr 10 20256:52 PM EDTUpdated Fri, Apr 11 20257:46 AM EDT)

https://www.cnbc.com/2025/04/10/supreme-court-trump-kilmar-abrego-garcia.html 

Marco Rubio explained that the US is extremely grateful to El Salvadore for agreeing to imprison deportees for us and also US Citizens who are serving jailtime. 

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/tjflCXyi_H4 

MSNBC. ‘Homegrown criminals are next’: Trump floats deporting U.S. citizen lawbreakers to El Salvador

Trump tells Bukele that “Homegrowns” are next. And suggested that the dictator needed to build 5 more prisons. And Trump’s staff laughed at this. Then to the press, Trump floated the idea of sending “Homegrowns” to CECOT. Apr 14, 2025

https://youtu.be/bZakGY-hXFs?si=ovL2IC6cYRrzJ2EA 

ICE deported 3 children who are U.S. citizens, their families’ lawyers say

Politics Apr 27, 2025 12:12 PM EDT

 Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers have in recent days deported the Cuban-born mother of a 1-year-old girl — separating them indefinitely — and three children ages 2, 4 and 7 who are U.S. citizens along with their Honduran-born mothers, their lawyers said Saturday.

The 4-year-old — who is suffering from a rare form of cancer — and the 7-year-old were deported to Honduras within a day of being arrested with their mother, Willis said.

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/ice-deported-3-children-who-are-u-s-citizens-their-families-lawyers-say 

CAN THEY DO THIS?

The Supreme Court ruled that the Trump Administration can deport immigrants (but not US Citizens), but they have to be given due process, which included at least 30 days to appeal. This has not been followed closely. In fact, people have reported that a lot of immigrant arrested have been moved out of state to make it harder for them to get help. Also, if someone does help them and tries to help them, that immigrant has been moved multiple times. 

IMMIGRATION REFORM UNDERWAY

House Republicans have voted down an effort to block immigration enforcers from using federal resources to detain or deport U.S. citizens.

During a House Judiciary Committee meeting on Wednesday, Democrats tabled amendments to a sweeping budget bill that President Donald Trump has dubbed "one big, beautiful bill."

Newsweek, “Republicans Vote Against Move To Stop ICE Deporting US Citizens” By Billal Rahman, Published May 01, 2025 

https://www.newsweek.com/republicans-vote-against-ice-deporting-us-citizens-2066548 

Also, here is a Video is from Rep. Jasmine Crockett’s latest IG post, reporting on the Judiciary Committee vote to deport US Citizens.

https://www.reddit.com/r/GlobalNews/comments/1kc399q/its_official_in_an_overnight_vote_the_house/ 

TIKTOK LIST OF THOSE WHO VOTED YES ON DEPORTING CITIZENS

https://www.tiktok.com/@deee.lightfull/video/7499250801576037663?_r=1&_t=ZP-8w0Cli2FKj1 

HEAVY FEES ON IMMIGRANTS

“They want people fleeing violence and persecution to pay 1,000 bucks so they can apply. They want people to pay $550 every six months to work. They want people to pay $900 to appeal rulings against them. They are commodifying the immigration system,” he said.

https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5276149-trump-immigration-priorities-judiciary-committee/ 

WHY THIS MATTERS?

If the Immigration bill is passed, allowing Trump to deport U.S. Citizens then this greatly reduces our protections against a dictator who has targeted his enemies and people who have spoken out against him. So far it’s just immigrants being deported for attending rallies that go against Trump policies or for writing op ed pieces that go against Trump. What do you think he’ll do with the power to deport anyone? He has already stated that CNN and MSNBC are “criminal”.

Last year, Trump called for NBC News to be investigated for treason over its coverage of criminal charges he faces. After his lone debate with Vice President Harris this summer, it was ABC's turn to face Trump's wrath. Trump expressed anger over moderators' decision to fact-check him. 

NPR. https://www.npr.org/2024/10/22/nx-s1-5161480/trump-media-threats-abc-cbs-60-minutes-journalists 

----------------------------------------------------

SAMPLE LETTER TO YOUR CONGRESS REPRESENTATIVE:

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Email Address]
[Phone Number]
[Date]

The Honorable [Representative's Full Name]
U.S. House of Representatives
[Representative's Office Address]
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Representative [Last Name],

I am writing as a concerned constituent to express my strong opposition to recent immigration policy proposals that threaten the constitutional rights of U.S. citizens and impose undue financial burdens on immigrants seeking justice and safety in our country.

Opposition to Deportation of U.S. Citizens

Recent statements by President Trump suggest an intent to find "legal" ways to deport U.S. citizens to foreign prisons, such as El Salvador's Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT). During a meeting with President Bukele, President Trump remarked, "Home-growns are next," indicating a desire to send American citizens to overseas detention facilities . This notion is not only unprecedented but also unconstitutional. The Eighth Amendment prohibits cruel and unusual punishments, and there is no legal framework that allows for the deportation of American citizens to serve sentences abroad .

Concerns Over Wrongful Deportations

Alarmingly, there have been instances where U.S. citizens, including children, have been wrongfully deported. In April 2025, three American children, aged 2, 4, and 7, were deported to Honduras alongside their mothers. The 4-year-old child, suffering from stage 4 cancer, was removed without access to necessary medical treatment . These actions violate due process and highlight systemic failures within our immigration enforcement agencies.

Objection to Increased Immigration Fees

Furthermore, the proposed increases in immigration-related fees are deeply concerning. Charging asylum seekers $1,000 to apply, imposing a $3,500 fee on sponsors of unaccompanied children, and requiring $900 to appeal rulings are measures that commodify the immigration system and place justice out of reach for many . These exorbitant fees deter vulnerable individuals from seeking the protection and legal recourse they are entitled to under U.S. and international law.

Call to Action

I urge you to:

1. Oppose any legislation that seeks to deport U.S. citizens or outsource their incarceration to foreign nations.

2. Advocate for the protection of due process rights for all individuals, ensuring that no one is wrongfully deported without proper legal proceedings.

3. Reject proposals that increase financial barriers for immigrants seeking asylum or legal remedies, and instead work towards a fair and accessible immigration system.

Our nation's strength lies in its commitment to justice, due process, and the protection of individual rights. I implore you to uphold these principles and stand against policies that undermine them.

Thank you for your attention to this critical matter. I look forward to your response and to seeing your continued commitment to protecting the rights of all individuals within our borders.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]

Planning to Deport Citizens?

 

Newer link here:

To NPR article.

'Homegrowns are next': Trump hopes to deport and jail U.S. citizens abroad
April 16, 202511:56 AM ET

Brian Mann

https://www.npr.org/2025/04/16/nx-s1-5366178/trump-deport-jail-u-s-citizens-homegrowns-el-salvador

Trump is in the White House with the dictator from El Salvador that runs the CECOT prison and he says the Homegrowns are next. We'll need about 5 more prisons. And everyone laughs.

When I saw this clip posted elsewhere, I wondered if it was made by AI or altered. But now Rachel posted it on her show (and you know how researched she is.

Rachel Maddow show

Rachel Maddow shares video of Donald Trump talking with El Salvadoran President Nayib Bukele about his intention to deport American citizens to prison in El Salvador. Sherrilyn Ifill, civil rights lawyer and law professor, joins to discuss. 

She then shows a clip of Donald Trump floating the idea of sending Homegrowns "criminals" to El Salvador as well and that Pam Bondi is "studying the laws right now." And he says: if we can do that, that's good.

Rachel Maddow calls this not a constitutional crisis, but a "constitutional end."

And Trump has said that he can't wait to see those who protest at Tesla to to an El Salvadorian prison. Steve Miller is planning to do a "mass denaturalization" of people who are in prison.

WTF?

https://youtu.be/k0PhviW_vek?si=pJa8iHrqZ4hQs_1w 

For more context and news coverage of the most important stories of our day click here: https://www.msnbc.com/

ALSO THIS:

Trump Official Declaring 'Anyone Who Preaches Hate for America' Will Be Deported Worries Users: 'They Just Skip the First Amendment'

"Democracy doesn't work like that," one user commented.

M.B. Mack / Published Apr 14 2025, 11:44 AM EDT

Top Trump official Stephen Miller's recent declaration that anyone who "preaches hate for America" will face deportation has ignited alarm online, with critics warning the statement disregards First Amendment protections.

The controversy began during a Monday morning appearance from the White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy on Fox News. Miller was defending the deportation of a Salvadoran national alleged to be involved in gang activity, as well as the pending removal of Mahmoud Khalil, a protester accused of supporting Hamas.

While Miller discussed a federal judge's authorization to deport Khalil, and the online debate that followed quickly turned toward broader implications for dissent and political expression.


In response to questioning by Fox anchor Bill Hemmer, Miller asserted that Khalil would be and went on to claim that everyone else who preached hate towards the country would also be at risk.

"Yes he will, as will anyone who preaches hate for America," Miller said. "Under this country, under this administration, under President Trump, people who hate America, who threaten our citizens, who rape, who murder, and who support those who rape and murder are going to be ejected from this country."

https://www.latintimes.com/trump-official-declaring-anyone-who-preaches-hate-america-will-deported-worries-users-they-580663 

ALSO STEPHEN MILLER 

HEMMER: Will Mahmoud Khalil be deported? STEPHEN MILLER: Yes he will, as will anyone who preaches hate for America.

Miller goes on to say that others who "rape and murder" and those who support them are going to be "ejected" from this country.

He goes on to tell outrageous lies saying people should cry over the blood of people that was shed or the "half a million children that Biden trafficked into this country .... Cemeteries are filled with tombstones from Americans that were killed by Joe Biden.... ."

https://x.com/atrupar/status/1911775024979058720

MSNBC ABOUT MASS DEPORTATIONS:

They are labeling people as "dead" and cancelling their social security numbers so that they can't stay in the U.S. and work:

As my MSNBC colleague Ja’han Jones explained, this reached a new level last week when Team Trump began cancelling immigrants’ lawfully obtained Social Security numbers — essentially listing individuals as dead — “as a means to impede their ability to make money or access government services and to pressure them to leave the country.”

The Washington Post reported that administration officials confronted objections from the Social Security Administration but ignored them while adding “thousands of immigrants ranging in age from teenagers to octogenarians to the agency’s Death Master File.” From the report:

https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/white-houses-deportation-agenda-reaches-new-levels-radicalism-rcna201178 

LISA MURKOWSKI

WE ARE ALL SCARED.

When someone asked what she'd tell people who are scared right now, she said. "We are all scared."

She admitted this to a non-profit group she recently visited. Having her admit this is almost as scary as other things I've recently heard. 

https://www.adn.com/politics/2025/04/14/we-are-all-afraid-speaking-to-alaska-nonprofit-leaders-murkowski-gets-candid-on-upheaval-in-federal- 

,

CECOT: Abrego Garcia not to be Released & More sent

 

Live updates: El Salvador’s president says he won’t release wrongly deported man back to US

Edited By  BRIDGET BROWN, BERNARD McGHEE and CURTIS YEE

Updated 9:58 AM AKDT, April 14, 2025

President Donald Trump’s top advisers and Nayib Bukele, the president of El Salvador, said Monday that they had no basis for the small Central American nation to return Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man who was wrongly deported there last month.

Trump administration officials emphasized that Abrego Garcia, who was sent to a notorious gang prison in El Salvador, was a citizen of that country and that the U.S. has no say in his future. And Bukele, who has been a vital partner for the Trump administration in its deportation efforts, said he does not “have the power to return him to the United States.”

The Supreme Court has ruled that the Trump administration must “facilitate” Abrego Garcia’s return.

https://apnews.com/live/donald-trump-news-updates-4-14-2025 

______________________________________________________________

Rubio Says 10 More People Have Been Expelled to El Salvador

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Sunday that “the alliance” between President Trump and President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador had “become an example for security and prosperity in our hemisphere.”

By Eric Schmitt and Annie Correal

Reporting from Washington and Panama City

Published April 13, 2025 Updated April 14, 2025, 7:01 a.m. ET

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Sunday that the United States had sent 10 members of two gangs — MS-13, which originated in the United States and operates in South America, and Tren de Aragua, rooted in Venezuela — to El Salvador late Saturday.

Mr. Rubio added in a social media post that “the alliance” between President Trump and President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador had “become an example for security and prosperity in our hemisphere.”

The deportees sent to El Salvador this weekend came from Guantánamo Bay, Cuba, on an Air Force C-17 cargo plane, according to a social media message posted by El Salvador’s justice minister, Gustavo Villatoro. The administration has been holding some detainees at the U.S. naval base there.

Mr. Villatoro also posted a video of men being marched off a military plane and led in shackles into a prison called the Terrorism Confinement Center, or CECOT.

The Trump administration has sent hundreds of Venezuelans to the notorious prison in El Salvador at the invitation of Mr. Bukele, who is positioning himself as a crucial regional ally to Mr. Trump and is scheduled to meet with the president in Washington on Monday.

The administration has portrayed those deportees as violent criminals or terrorists, but court papers have shown that the evidence on which the government acted was often little more than whether they had tattoos or had worn clothing associated with the criminal organization.

READ MORE:

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/13/us/politics/rubio-deportions-el-salvador-trump-bukele.html

ALSO:

READ MORE:

https://www.npr.org/2025/04/14/nx-s1-5364502/trump-bukele-el-salvador-deportation

SAMPLE LETTER TO THE MY REPRESENTATIVE:

Subject: Stop Deportations to CECOT and Protect Due Process

Dear [Representative/Senator] [Last Name],

I am writing to you as a deeply concerned constituent to strongly and unequivocally object to the deportation of any individuals—citizen or not—to the Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo (CECOT) in El Salvador, or to any other facility that has been credibly accused of human rights violations and inhumane treatment.

CECOT, built under the Bukele administration, is widely reported as one of the largest and harshest prisons in the world. Reports from Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, and numerous journalists describe appalling conditions: overcrowded cells, indefinite solitary confinement, denial of food and medical care, and systematic torture. Prisoners have been held without trial or access to legal representation, many accused of gang affiliation solely due to tattoos, style of dress, or neighborhood of origin—not due to proven criminal activity.

According to Human Rights Watch (2023), mass arrests have led to the incarceration of tens of thousands, often without due process. Detainees have died in custody without explanation. The Salvadoran government has openly used the prison as a show of force to instill fear, not justice.

It is morally unconscionable and legally indefensible for the United States to deport anyone to such a facility. Doing so violates the principles of due process, habeas corpus, and protection from cruel and unusual punishment—values enshrined in our Constitution and international human rights law.

Furthermore, I am extremely alarmed by recent political rhetoric—including from former President Trump—suggesting that American citizens could also be deported under similar pretenses. If the precedent is set that merely labeling someone a "terrorist" or "criminal" is enough to strip away all legal rights, then none of us are safe.

President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador said on Monday (4/14)  that he would not return Abrego Garcia, a Maryland man who was wrongly deported from the United States.

(See NYT, https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/04/14/us/trump-news-tariffs, &

NPR: https://www.npr.org/2025/04/14/nx-s1-5364502/trump-bukele-el-salvador-deportation )

Deporting individuals to secretive, lawless facilities from which there is no appeal and no chance of release amounts to extra-judicial exile. It is a tactic of authoritarian regimes—not of democracies.

I am calling on you to:

• Publicly oppose any current or future deportations to CECOT or any facility like it.
  
  

• Pass legislation prohibiting the U.S. government from deporting anyone—citizen or otherwise—without due process and the right to appeal.
  
  

• Demand transparency and accountability in U.S. immigration enforcement.
  
  

• Ensure that no person can be stripped of rights simply based on suspicion, appearance, or association.
  
  

This is not just a matter of immigration. It is a matter of what kind of country we are. A free society does not export people to be tortured. A just government does not allow leaders—past or present—to rule by fear and vengeance.

Please do what is right. Stand up for the Constitution, for human dignity, and for the future of our democracy.

Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your Address]
[Your City, State, ZIP Code]
[Your Email Address]
[Optional: Your Phone Number]

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RESIST: