Providence City Council, the governing body of Rhode Island’s capital city, has launched an initiative to distribute bilingual ‘Know Your Rights’ mailers to its residents. These cards, available in English and Spanish, are designed to educate residents on how to interact with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, particularly as the Trump administration has intensified immigration enforcement efforts. The initiative aims to empower residents, especially those from immigrant communities, with knowledge of their constitutional rights in the face of potential encounters with immigration authorities.
The mailers advise residents not to open their doors to ICE agents unless officers present a valid warrant signed by a judge. A detachable portion of the card can be kept in a wallet and presented to immigration enforcement, according to the city’s news release. The campaign was developed in collaboration with over a dozen local immigrant rights and advocacy groups, reflecting a community-driven effort to support vulnerable populations. The city has allocated $17,000 for the distribution of these mailers, highlighting the council’s commitment to addressing immigration-related concerns.
Council President Rachel Miller, in a statement, underscored the importance of these measures in ensuring the safety and inclusion of Providence’s immigrant communities. She emphasized the historical and ongoing contributions of immigrants to the city, calling for unity in the face of the challenges posed by the Trump administration’s immigration policies. However, the initiative has faced criticism from the Rhode Island Republican Party, which accused the council of misusing public funds to aid individuals who entered the country illegally. Party Chair Jow Powers labeled the move as