Damayan Hosts First Workshop in a Three-Part Series, Workers Protection Academy: Know Your Rights with ICE and More
“Na-clarify lahat. Yung general information na na-gather namin dito habang nakikinig kami. Lahat ng questions ko, in my mind and my heart, nasagot ng Damayan.”
“Everything was clarified. The general information we gathered while listening here. All the questions in my mind and my heart were answered by Damayan.”
Jenny, new Damayan member
Woodside, NY - Two weekends ago, about 80 Damayan Filipino migrant worker members flocked to the first-ever Workers Protection Academy, a three-part series designed to protect and empower them from the Immigrant and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
With anti-immigrant and anti-migrant policies of the Trump administration, our community is experiencing heightened anxiety, uncertainty and fear. Participants gained knowledge, skills and confidence to assert their rights, as well as clarity on misinformation online and in our communities.
Damayan gave an overview about ICE, dispelled information for participants, and answered questions, such as which IDs to bring and who ICE is generally looking for. We also held a short orientation about our mission, vision, history, and programs, and the need to be a part of an organization. Co-founder and long-time members spoke about their experience with Damayan and our community, including the previous Trump administration. We also distributed about 300 Know Your Rights (KYR) cards, flyers and posters, tools to avoid detention and assert our rights, to distribute amongst our community. Participants left the workshop with a sense of confidence, a base of knowledge about ICE, and a sense of community.
Damayan will host Workshops 2 and 3 of Workers Protection Academy on Saturdays, February 22 and March 8, 10am-3pm, respectively. A legal clinic where Filipino migrant workers can consult immigration and labor attorneys for free will also be held on Saturday, March 22, 10am-3pm. All events will be held in Woodside, NYC (exact location to be announced).
Damayan events are open to all Filipino migrant workers and supporters. Let’s get all the information and confidence to make the best decisions for ourselves and others, while combating fear.