A.G. Tong to lead immigration forum at Trinity Lime Rock March 6

SALISBURY — Following the November election, a group of local residents became very concerned about the new administration’s stand on deporting those lacking legal status.

Jill Drew of Sharon said, “We wondered what we could do and the answer emerged; protect the vulnerable.” And so was born Vecinos Seguros 2, which translated is “Safe Neighbors.”

In addition to a host of initiatives, the group is hosting a community immigration forum featuring Connecticut Attorney General William Tong on Thursday, March 6, at 6 p.m. at Trinity Lime Rock Church, 484 Lime Rock Road. He will discuss the state’s response to federal immigration enforcement changes and answer questions about how the state’s Trust Act works.

The first iteration of Vecinos Seguros was formed during the pandemic when the Rev. John Carter sought ways to communicate with local immigrants. He held church services in Spanish to bring them together and give support. Eventually the program disbanded during President Biden’s term.

Drew said she was aware that advocacy groups were forming in cities and knowing of the immigrant population in the Northwest Corner, as well as in towns across the border in New York state and Massachusetts, she started to explore what could be done. She was introduced to Carter and the group was created to ensure that those who might be affected know their rights.

Drew is director of the group’s steering committee. Others serving are Sophia and Lee DeBoer, Amy Lake and Carter.

Among Vecinos Seguros’ activities is the distribution of wallet-sized red cards printed in English and Spanish which anyone targeted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can refer to in order to invoke their Constitutional rights to remain silent and refuse a search. The group also has flyers that detail what should be done in specific situations, including list of legal resources and emergency response cards in Spanish with two phone numbers so someone targeted by ICE can call to report an ICE encounter and request assistance from the group’s rapid response team.

Those wishing to be involved with the group, or would like further information can reach out to vecinosseguros2@gmail.com.

“We’re trying to create a community in which people know their neighbors care about them,” Drew said.