Siembra NC Leads Durham Training to Counter Immigration Rumors

Dive Right Into

Key Takeaways

• On February 22, 2025, Siembra NC held an “ICE Watch” training in Durham, attended by over 200 participants.
• Participants learned to verify ICE activity reports, addressing misinformation that disrupts immigrant communities’ daily lives and fosters self-deportation fears.
• New policies, like House Bill 10 and sanctuary city targeting, heighten risks for immigrants and demand proactive community support.

Siembra NC, a leader in immigrant advocacy in North Carolina (🇺🇸), held an important training session on Saturday, February 22, 2025, focused on addressing the widespread problem of misinformation surrounding immigration enforcement. Known as “ICE Watch,” this session took place in Durham (🇺🇸) and brought together more than 200 participants. The event is part of a long-running initiative by Siembra NC, which has been conducting these efforts since 2017.

The training concentrated on equipping participants with skills to identify and debunk false reports of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sightings. Misinformation about ICE activities can deeply harm immigrant communities, creating fear that disrupts daily life. This concern is particularly relevant as the Trump administration implements stricter immigration policies, causing many families to brace for potential enforcement actions.

Siembra NC Leads Durham Training to Counter Immigration Rumors

Combatting Fear and Rumors

Nikki Marin-Baena, the co-director of Siembra NC, stressed why education on this issue is essential. She explained, “One of the main priorities of the Trump administration is to encourage self-deportation. Creating such an environment of panic that people will want to leave on their own. What’s really important about ICE verification is controlling rumors in the community.” The consequences of unchecked rumors can be severe, causing individuals to avoid work, pull their children out of school, or even isolate themselves due to fear.

Marin-Baena noted that reports of ICE presence often turn out to be false. By teaching people how to verify such claims, the organization hopes to replace fear-driven speculation with facts. This training empowers community members to take a calm, informed approach when responding to news of ICE operations in their neighborhoods.

Building a Network of Preparedness

The ICE Watch training is part of a statewide effort by Latino and grassroots organizations to help immigrants and their families prepare for possible enforcement actions. These groups, including Siembra NC, began strategizing long before the new administration took office in January. Their proactive measures underline a shared commitment to safeguarding North Carolina’s immigrant population.

Siembra NC doesn’t limit its work to misinformation about ICE. The organization operates a Defensa hotline, offering critical support to address problems like wage theft—when employers refuse to pay workers what they are owed. Wage theft is a frequent issue within immigrant communities, often targeting undocumented workers who feel powerless to demand fair treatment. Through its hotline and advocacy efforts, Siembra NC ensures that even vulnerable individuals have ways to seek justice.

Working for Change on Multiple Fronts

Between 2023 and 2024, Siembra NC successfully helped workers recover over $280,000 in stolen wages by organizing communities and taking direct action. The organization’s reach extends beyond labor rights—it also engages in issues tied to elections, recognizing the growing Latino population in North Carolina. Now numbering over 1.2 million, the Latino community is among the fastest-growing demographic groups in the state. Siembra NC sees voter engagement as a vital way to amplify their voices and influence local and state policies.

Through creative educational projects, the group also focuses on challenging stereotypes and reshaping ideas about the state’s diverse communities. One of their notable projects was a children’s book exploring who makes up the “real supermajority” in North Carolina, aiming to inspire young readers with the message of inclusion and empowerment.

Policy Shifts and Grassroots Responses

Siembra NC’s efforts take place amid rapid policy changes. On January 23, 2025, the Trump administration announced a plan to target sanctuary cities—localities that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. The new directive permits ICE agents to enter locations that were previously considered “sensitive,” such as schools, churches, and hospitals. This policy marks a shift from earlier guidelines and heightens the stakes for immigrant families.

The impact of House Bill 10, passed by North Carolina’s legislature, adds further urgency. This law now requires all county sheriffs to comply with ICE detainer requests. Such requests ask local law enforcement to hold individuals suspected of being in the country unlawfully until ICE can take custody. Critics argue that this increases the risk of detention and deportation for undocumented residents.

While some local officials pledged cooperation with the new law, Durham County Sheriff Clarence Birkhead is standing firm in his commitment to protect immigrant communities. Sheriff Birkhead has publicly stated that his department won’t honor ICE detainer requests unless they are supported by a valid judicial order, adding that his deputies won’t stop people solely to ask about their immigration status or documents. His stance aligns closely with the values and advocacy of Siembra NC.

Statewide Collaboration for Immigrant Communities

Siembra NC is far from alone in its mission. Across North Carolina, organizations like Durham Rapid Response, Comité Acción Popular in Raleigh (🇺🇸), and Carolina Migrant Network in Charlotte (🇺🇸) have built community alert systems to report ICE activity and police checkpoints. These networks offer real-time information to families, helping them make informed decisions in moments of crisis.

Durham Rapid Response has been particularly active in mobilizing communities. Its director, Ivan Almonte, emphasized the diversity of needs across the state’s counties and the importance of uniting as a network. “We’re mobilizing the community across the state. It’s important to be part of a group of community organizers because each county, each city, is different,” he explained. This collaboration between organizations ensures that immigrant communities have access to dependable resources no matter where they live.

A Comprehensive Approach to Advocacy

Siembra NC has long believed that education and collective action are the keys to fostering resilience in the face of challenges. Their website underscores a broader vision connected to social justice, declaring, “We build power alongside Black-led organizations that are leading the transformation of our state away from a laboratory for right-wing policy ideas to a place where we all have access to decent housing, education, healthcare and dignified work.”

In addition to training sessions, the organization provides resources such as instructional videos on rights during ICE encounters or advice on combating wage theft. These tools not only prepare individuals but also encourage them to share knowledge within their communities, enriching the network of support.

Future Outlook

Siembra NC plans to continue its ICE Watch sessions and other initiatives. The group is actively encouraging volunteers to get involved in a variety of campaigns, from standing up for workers’ rights to fighting deportations. They use platforms like social media and email alerts to stay connected with supporters and update the community about urgent developments.

As the organization moves forward, its leaders stress the importance of community engagement. By participating in Siembra NC’s activities, residents can play an essential role in safeguarding their neighbors and maintaining a sense of shared purpose. Whether through immediate responses to misinformation or long-term efforts to recover wages and protect voting rights, Siembra NC remains committed to defending immigrant communities throughout North Carolina.

Conclusion

The recent training session organized by Siembra NC in Durham symbolizes a broader effort to address the unique pressures faced by immigrant families in North Carolina. Through dedicated advocacy, practical programs, and widespread collaboration, Siembra NC continues to pave the way to a safer and better-informed community. As new policies are implemented and challenges intensify, organizations like Siembra NC, alongside allies such as Durham Rapid Response, are empowering individuals to stand resilient and ensure that immigrant voices are heard. For more details on immigrant rights or ICE policies, readers can explore the USCIS’s official website.

Learn Today

ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) → A U.S. government agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws and conducting deportations.
Self-Deportation → The voluntary return of immigrants to their home country, often influenced by restrictive policies or fear of enforcement.
Sanctuary Cities → Municipalities limiting cooperation with federal immigration authorities, offering some protections to undocumented residents.
ICE Detainer Requests → Requests by ICE for local law enforcement to hold individuals suspected of immigration violations until federal custody.
Wage Theft → Illegal practice where employers deny workers full wages owed, often targeting vulnerable or undocumented workers.

This Article in a Nutshell

Siembra NC’s ICE Watch training on February 22, 2025, empowered over 200 Durham attendees to debunk immigrant enforcement rumors. By replacing fear with facts, the organization combats harmful panic, fostering resilience in immigrant communities. Siembra NC’s multifaceted advocacy—from wage theft recovery to voter engagement—ensures a safer, more informed future for North Carolina families.
— By VisaVerge.com