A small and quiet turnout as they listened to organizers running a workshop.

“We want our immigrant constituents to know they have rights, their rights are protected, they have legal services to help them,” City Councilmember Shekar Krishnan, who represents Queens neighborhoods including Jackson Heights, said.

What You Need To Know

  • Councilmember Shekar Krishnan and immigrant advocacy groups held a meeting where advocates taught attendees what to do if they are approached by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

  • Organizers say there is a great sense of fear in the city’s immigrant community

  • According to organizers, 130 people signed up and only 20 showed up in person

  • The workshop was held on the same day that the first U.S. military plane carrying migrants was set to depart to Guantánamo Bay

This class comes as the first U.S. military flights carrying migrants to Guantánamo Bay were set to depart Tuesday.

There’s no word on if anyone detained in the city was on those flights.

Krishnan and the groups New Immigrant Community Empowerment and the New York Immigration Coalition held this workshop Tuesday night teaching attendees about their rights.

“Do not open your door for federal immigration authorities unless they have a signed judicial warrant, or a signed warrant from a judge. Two, you have the right to remain silent,” Krishnan said.

Another right addressed was organizers say if government agents ask for your consent to be searched, you have the right to not give that consent.

Executive Director of New Immigrant Community Empowerment Nilvia Coyote shared the desire she’s heard from people in the community for workshops on their rights.

“We know one of the most effective tools is to empower our communities through accurate information on your rights,” Coyote said.

This also comes as President Donald Trump revoked Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 350,000 Venezuelans.

TPS protects migrants from deportation and helps with access to work permits.

According to organizers, 130 people signed up and only 20 showed up in person.

Organizers say this is a sign of some fears currently within the city’s migrant community.