Community Rapid Response
When community members face urgent situations, organized rapid response can provide critical support. Learn how these networks work and how to set up your own.
Safety First
Rapid response is about providing support, documentation, and resources — not
physical intervention. Always prioritize safety. Know your rights and limitations.
What Is Rapid Response?
Rapid response networks are community-organized systems that respond to immigration enforcement actions in real-time, providing support, documentation, and resources to affected community members. These networks mobilize quickly when neighbors face urgent situations — such as immigration enforcement, hate incidents, or emergencies.
Rapid Response Can Include:
- • Documenting incidents and gathering information for legal defense
- • Providing witness presence to deter rights violations
- • Connecting families with legal resources and bond assistance
- • Childcare and family support during emergencies
- • Translation and interpretation
- • Transportation to legal appointments and ICE check-ins
- • Emotional support and accompaniment
Four Core Components of Rapid Response Networks
Effective rapid response networks typically include these four essential components working together.
24-Hour Hotlines
- • Community members call to report ICE activity
- • Trained volunteers verify reports and dispatch responders
- • Information is shared to warn the broader community
Legal Observer Teams
- • Trained volunteers respond to enforcement locations
- • Document actions for legal defense purposes
- • Exercise constitutional right to observe public activity
Legal Support Networks
- • Immigration attorneys on call for urgent consultations
- • Connect detained individuals with legal representation
- • Provide bond fund referrals and legal resources
Accompaniment Teams
- • Provide moral support to affected families
- • Help with practical needs (childcare, transportation)
- • Connect families to ongoing resources and support
Regional Rapid Response Hotlines
If you witness enforcement activity or need help, call your regional hotline. Save these numbers in your phone.
| Region | Organization | Hotline |
|---|---|---|
| California (Statewide) | CCIJ | ccijustice.org/carrn |
| Sacramento, CA | Rapid Response | 916-245-6773 |
| San Diego, CA | Rapid Response | 619-536-0823 |
| San Francisco, CA | SFILEN | 415-200-1548 |
| Orange County, CA | OC Rapid Response | ocrapidresponse.org |
| North Bay, CA | NBRRN | northbayop.org/nbrrn |
| Colorado | Rapid Response | 1-844-UNITE-41 |
| Illinois/Chicago | ICIRR | 1-855-435-7693 |
| Virginia | Migrant Solidarity | 202-335-1183 |
| Rhode Island | Deportation Defense | 401-675-1414 |
| National | CASA Raid Tip Line | 1-888-214-6016 |
| National | Migrant Solidarity | 202-335-1183 |
Don't see your area? Search "[your city] rapid response network immigration" or contact NILC for referrals.
Evolved Network Models (2025-2026)
Rapid response networks have adapted to changing enforcement tactics. Different situations require different responses.
Large-Scale Operations
For workplace raids or multi-location enforcement:
- • Centralized reporting through mass text systems
- • Rapid verification and broadcast to all responders
- • Coordinated convergence at enforcement locations
- • Legal observers deployed to multiple sites
Door Knocks and Street Operations
For home visits and neighborhood enforcement:
- • Decentralized vehicle spotting networks
- • Noise warnings (whistles, car horns) across neighborhoods
- • Mobile patrol groups tracking enforcement vehicles
- • Encrypted communication for real-time coordination
Adapt to Your Community
The best model depends on your community's needs, geography, and the enforcement patterns you're seeing. Some areas use hybrid approaches combining both models.
Getting Involved
Find Existing Networks
- • Search "[your city] rapid response network"
- • Contact local immigrant rights organizations
- • Ask at community centers and places of worship
- • Check with ACLU or legal aid offices
- • Attend a rapid response training (many offer monthly sessions)
Volunteer Roles
- • Hotline operator: Answer calls, dispatch responders
- • Legal observer: Document enforcement for legal defense
- • Field responder: Go to locations, witness, support
- • Legal support: Connect people with attorneys
- • Accompaniment: Court hearings, ICE check-ins
- • Family support: Childcare, transportation, translation
- • Data/admin: Track information, maintain resources
Safety Guidelines for Responders
Critical Rules:
- • Never physically interfere with law enforcement
- • Keep a safe distance — observe and document from afar
- • Know your rights — you can observe and record in public
- • Don't escalate — stay calm, don't argue with officers
- • Protect privacy — don't share sensitive information
- • Use the buddy system — never respond alone
What to Document:
- • Time, date, and location
- • Number and description of officers/agents
- • Agency (police, ICE, etc.) and vehicle numbers
- • What you observed happening
- • Names and contact info of other witnesses
- • Video and photos (when safe to do so)
How to Set Up a Local Rapid Response Network
A step-by-step guide to building effective community protection infrastructure.
1 Planning Phase
Build a Core Team
- • Identify committed organizers (5-10 people minimum)
- • Include people with different skills: legal, communications, logistics, community ties
- • Establish decision-making processes and leadership structure
- • Determine your geographic coverage area
Connect with Existing Networks
- • Research what already exists in your area
- • Reach out to state or national organizations for guidance
- • Learn from established networks' successes and challenges
- • Consider joining a coalition rather than starting from scratch
Assess Community Needs
- • What are the most common enforcement actions in your area?
- • Who are the most vulnerable community members?
- • What resources already exist?
- • What gaps need to be filled?
Resources for Getting Started:
2 Essential Components
Hotline System
- • Establish a dedicated phone number (Google Voice or similar can work to start)
- • Create a schedule for monitoring (24/7 is ideal, or set clear posted hours)
- • Develop intake protocols — what information to collect on each call
- • Train volunteers on the system thoroughly before going live
Verification Protocol
- • Develop a system to verify reports before broadcasting
- • False reports can cause panic and waste limited resources
- • Balance speed with accuracy — get confirmation from multiple sources when possible
- • Create clear criteria for what constitutes verified vs. unverified reports
Communication Infrastructure
- • Signal groups for coordination (encrypted, secure)
- • Mass text or notification system for broader community alerts
- • Clear protocols for what information to share (and what not to)
- • Security practices to protect members — no real names in public channels
- • Backup communication methods in case primary systems fail
Responder Teams
- • Recruit and train legal observers (partner with National Lawyers Guild)
- • Build relationships with immigration attorneys for legal support
- • Develop accompaniment teams for family support
- • Create clear protocols for each team with defined roles
- • Establish geographic zones so responders are close to incidents
Know Your Rights Training
- • Offer regular community education sessions
- • Prepare materials in all relevant languages
- • Host family preparedness planning workshops
- • Train community members on what to do if ICE comes to their door
3 Training Your Network
Essential Training Topics
- • Constitutional rights during enforcement
- • What legal observers can and cannot do
- • Documentation best practices
- • Digital security and encrypted communications
- • De-escalation techniques
- • Trauma-informed response
- • Cultural competency
- • Bystander intervention safety
Training Resources:
- • National Lawyers Guild — legal observer trainings
- • MIRAC (Minnesota) — monthly ICE raid response trainings (100-200 participants)
- • Immigrant Defense Project — raids resources and materials
- • Local immigration legal services organizations
4 Operational Protocols
When a Report Comes In
- Gather basic information (location, number of agents, what's happening)
- Verify if possible (multiple sources, direct observation)
- Alert responder teams via Signal or secure channel
- Broadcast to community network if appropriate
- Dispatch observers to location
- Document everything throughout
- Connect affected families with resources
- Debrief and document for records
After an Incident
- Check in with all responders — debrief and process
- Compile all documentation (photos, notes, witness statements)
- Connect family with legal services and mutual aid
- Evaluate response — what worked, what didn't
- Update protocols based on lessons learned
- Communicate with community as appropriate
- Follow up with affected family in days and weeks after
5 Sustainability
Prevent Burnout
Rapid response work is emotionally demanding. Networks that last are ones that take care of their members.
Building a Sustainable Network
- • Rotate responsibilities — no one person should be on call constantly
- • Build a deep bench — train more volunteers than you need for minimum coverage
- • Celebrate successes — acknowledge when your network makes a difference
- • Acknowledge difficulties — create space for processing hard experiences
- • Create funding streams — for supplies, training, transportation, bail assistance
- • Connect with larger networks — you're not alone; lean on regional and national support
- • Schedule breaks — build in rest periods, especially after intense periods
- • Provide mental health resources — make counseling available to responders
If You Witness an Arrest or Raid
What You CAN Do
- • Record from at least 10 feet away (constitutional right)
- • Ask agents: "Do you have a warrant?"
- • Tell the person: "You have the right to remain silent"
- • Note badge numbers, vehicle plates, number of agents
- • Get contact information from other witnesses
- • Call your local rapid response hotline
What You Should NOT Do
- • Do not physically block agents or vehicles
- • Do not touch agents or attempt to free someone
- • Do not lie to agents or provide false information
- • Do not destroy evidence or help someone flee
- • Do not put yourself at risk if you are undocumented
If Told to Stop Filming
State clearly: "I am exercising my right to document this arrest."
If told to move back, comply and continue recording from the new distance. Document that you complied.
After the incident: Back up footage immediately to secure cloud storage. Send a copy to a trusted person or attorney. Do not delete the original or edit the footage.
Resources
Rapid Response and Mutual Aid
- CLINIC Rapid Response Toolkit
- United We Dream — Immigrant youth network
- National Bail Fund Network — Bond fund directory
- Immigrant Defense Project — Raids resources
Legal Support and Training
- National Immigration Law Center — Know-your-rights
- National Lawyers Guild — Legal observer training
- ACLU — Rights training and resources
- Immigrant Legal Resource Center — Red Cards
Report Violations
- DHS Civil Rights: 1-866-644-8360
- DHS Inspector General: oig.dhs.gov/hotline
- ICE Professional Responsibility: 833-442-3677
- ACLU: 1-888-567-ACLU
Mental Health Crisis Support
- Suicide Prevention: 988 (24/7)
- Crisis Text Line: Text "HELLO" to 741741
- SAMHSA Helpline: 1-800-662-4357
Ready to Get Involved?
Your community needs trained, prepared volunteers. Whether you join an existing network or help start one, your participation makes a difference.