The start of President Trump’s Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid operation has begun. ICE agents plan to detain and deport undocumented people in 10 major cities including Atlanta, Miami, Chicago, and New York. 

MAYDAY Space, a neighborhood resource and organizing center in Bushwick joins forces with its building partners Iglesia de la Santa Cruz and Bushwick Abbey, two congregations part of the New Sanctuary Coalition, to provide refuge against the ICE raids taking place yesterday.  These organizations began to reach out to those in need of refuge and on-site volunteers willing to provide hospitality on social media late Saturday night after ICE agents attempted to raid at least two neighborhoods in New York City, Harlem and Sunset Park. The agents were turned away by residents because they didn’t have warrants. 

Bushwick has a large immigrant community and approximately two-thirds of the foreign-born population remain non-citizens. Being a sanctuary city, the New Sanctuary Coalition created a map of sanctuary congregations and allies. Reverend of Bushwick Abbey, Nell B. Archer says in support of the new coalition both congregations can offer short-term sanctuary for people at risk of being detained by immigration enforcement.