Elected officials pushed back against potential Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids expected to hit cities across the country soon by hosting a #KnowYourRights day of action in Mount Eden.
Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and City Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson stood at the corner of Grand Concourse and East 170th Street Tuesday handing out pamphlets containing information and resources immigrants can use.
The pamphlet included a phone number that can be called to speak to immigrant specialists ahead of planned ICE raids that President Donald Trump says will take place after Independence Day.
Trump announced the delayed raids while signing legislation providing $4.6 billion in funding to address the influx of migrants. The emergency funding is to be used in order to care for kids in federal custody.
Trump said late last month he was going to delay the sweeping raids, telling Congress it had two weeks to pass new restrictions on asylum laws.
The ICE operation was reportedly set to take place in 10 major cities and target up to 2,000 illegal immigrant family members for deportation.
"We want to make sure the people understand and are operating -- not from a place of fear -- but a place of knowledge," says Williams.