While local law enforcement says Operation Charlotte’s Web has wound down, federal immigration officials insist that the arrests will continue.
Siembra NC is an immigrant worker organizing group. Communications strategist Emmanuel Gomez Gonzalez says it can be difficult to decipher truth from fiction when it comes to updates on ICE movement.
"Anywhere where we might be encountering reports or rumored sightings, leaked information — sometimes you’ll see, ‘I heard from this person who works here who said this’ — it's always [good] to ask, ‘Hey, did I see this with my own eyes? Did I hear this directly from someone? Did I witness this?’, says Gonzalez. "If not, ask yourself or the person that’s sharing that information if they heard or saw it firsthand."
If the answer is ‘yes,’ Gonzalez recommends contacting Siembra NC’s hotline, where the incident will be verified, added to their database, and uploaded to their new ICE-tracking app.
The organization is currently training community members from across the state in response techniques. Gonzalez says 2,400 participated just last week.