Next Comes What: How to Get ICE Out of Your Town
Hosted by Andrea Pitzer
Release Date: August 6, 2025
In this compelling episode of Next Comes What?, author Andrea Pitzer delves into the pervasive issue of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and their profound impact on local communities. Through insightful discussions and an in-depth conversation with Oliver Merino of the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, Pitzer explores actionable strategies to mitigate ICE's influence in towns across America.
I. Introduction: The Growing Threat of ICE Raids
00:00 – 02:10
Andrea Pitzer opens the episode by highlighting the alarming increase in ICE raids across various parts of the United States. She paints a vivid picture of communities living in fear, where everyday activities like going to work, shopping, or attending church become sources of anxiety due to the looming presence of ICE agents.
Andrea Pitzer [00:30]: "Whole communities live in fear of going to work, grocery store or to church."
II. The Impact on Education and Community Well-being
02:11 – 05:42
Pitzer references a Stanford University study revealing a 20% uptick in school absences in California during early 2025, attributing this rise to heightened immigration enforcement. The conversation underscores how ICE operations extend beyond individual fears, disrupting the fabric of communities and affecting the daily lives of children and families.
III. Understanding ICE’s Collaboration with Local Law Enforcement
05:42 – 12:11
A significant portion of the discussion centers on the voluntary collaboration between local sheriffs and ICE, particularly in Alexandria, Virginia. Oliver Merino elucidates how this partnership goes beyond legal obligations, with sheriffs actively assisting ICE in detentions and deportations.
Oliver Merino [06:16]: "The sheriff is holding people past their release time again in order for ICE to come and pick them up."
Pitzer and Merino explore the legality and morality of such collaborations, questioning the ethical stance of local law enforcement agencies that choose to align with federal deportation efforts.
IV. Strategies to Dismantle Local ICE Collaborations
12:11 – 21:04
Merino outlines comprehensive strategies for communities to resist ICE’s reach:
- Inform the Public: Educate community members about local ICE collaborations and their implications.
- Community Organizing: Host meetings and engage with local government representatives to demand the end of ICE partnerships.
- Legal Support: Advocate for legal representation for detained immigrants to ensure fair treatment and uphold constitutional rights.
- Mutual Aid and Support Networks: Establish hotlines and volunteer groups to monitor and report ICE activities accurately.
Andrea Pitzer [08:24]: "We are going to be having a series of community meetings inviting people to learn more, but also ask questions."
Merino emphasizes the power of local action over federal influence, encouraging citizens to utilize their immediate environment to effect change.
V. The Broader Context of Immigration Detention
21:04 – 24:05
Pitzer discusses the historical and systemic issues surrounding immigration detention in the United States. Highlighting reports of abuse and inhumane treatment in detention centers, she underscores the longstanding challenges faced by immigrant communities.
Unnamed Speaker [21:17]: "Detention officers made men eat while shackled with their hands behind their backs. We had to bend over and eat off the chairs with our mouths like dogs."
This segment frames current efforts within a larger narrative of persistent injustices, reinforcing the urgency for sustained community resistance.
VI. Hope Through Community Engagement and Solidarity
24:05 – 26:18
Oliver Merino shares a personal perspective on the importance of community solidarity and continuous engagement. He recounts his journey from attending a demonstration to leading initiatives that support and protect immigrant neighbors.
Oliver Merino [21:51]: "Transformation that happens, that is very helpful for me. And I've seen that over and over again."
Pitzer concludes by reiterating the various actionable steps listeners can take, from ending local ICE collaborations to providing legal aid and participating in mutual aid efforts. She emphasizes that impactful change begins at the grassroots level, urging listeners to become active participants in their communities.
Andrea Pitzer [24:05]: "What are you waiting for?"
Key Takeaways
- Awareness and Education: Understanding the scope and impact of ICE's local collaborations is crucial.
- Community Mobilization: Organizing and engaging with local leaders can pressure authorities to sever ties with ICE.
- Legal Advocacy: Ensuring immigrants have access to legal representation can safeguard their rights.
- Mutual Aid: Supporting affected individuals through food banks, mutual aid groups, and direct assistance strengthens community resilience.
- Persistent Engagement: Continuous presence and participation in community actions are essential for sustained change.
Notable Quotes
- Andrea Pitzer [00:30]: "Whole communities live in fear of going to work, grocery store or to church."
- Oliver Merino [06:16]: "The sheriff is holding people past their release time again in order for ICE to come and pick them up."
- Unnamed Speaker [21:17]: "Detention officers made men eat while shackled with their hands behind their backs. We had to bend over and eat off the chairs with our mouths like dogs."
- Andrea Pitzer [24:05]: "What are you waiting for?"
Conclusion and Call to Action
Andrea Pitzer's episode serves as a clarion call for communities to take proactive steps against ICE's encroachment. By fostering local alliances, educating citizens, and providing tangible support to immigrants, individuals can collectively diminish ICE's presence and uphold the values of justice and humanity. Merino's insights and actionable advice empower listeners to become catalysts for change within their own towns.
Listen to the full episode at Andreapitzer.com and join the movement to protect and support immigrant communities nationwide.