April 2026 FLPIR Newsletter
On March 28, FLPIR volunteers joined millions of people across the US to say “No War With Iran, No ICE, and No Kings!” We need to continue to oppose the Trump/MAGA agenda in every way that we can. On May 1, we will join the May Day Strong “No Kings, No Billionaires!” campaign by not going to work or school or shopping (see below).
Meanwhile, we will continue organizing locally to defend our immigrant neighbors and oppose Trump’s cruel immigration policies. Last year, 32 people died in DHS custody – the most in over 2 decades. So far this year, at least 11 people have died in ICE custody. Thousands of people have been deported or are being held in ICE detention centers and thousands of families have been separated due to Trump’s cruel and unjust immigration policies.
This newsletter contains many ways you can join in the struggle for justice for immigrants – from city hall and courthouse vigils to music and arts events, and of course, the many ways you can volunteer!
Thanks for your support! Gracias por tu apoyo!
La Peña Community Chorus Presents: ¡SIN FRONTERAS!
A Benefit Concert for Friends of La Peña Immigrant Rights
Saturday, April 18, 7:30 p.m.
La Peña Cultural Center, Berkeley, CA
Call to artists: Donate your work to support immigrant families
Deadline to respond: April 17
FLPIR is sponsoring a one-day print, collage, and photography exhibition and sale to raise money for the Multicultural Institute, an immigrant advocacy and support organization in Berkeley. The event will include a reception and live music.
We are inviting artists to donate works to be included in this show. 100% of the proceeds of works sold will be donated to the Multicultural Institute. The deadline to respond is April 17. For more details about this exhibition and how to submit works, please contact lisa@lisakokin.com.
Stand together: Collective Actions
Keep ICE OUT of Dublin
Oppose the immigration center at the Alameda County Board of Supervisors Vote
Tuesday, April 7, 1-3 p.m.
1221 Oak Street, 5th Floor, Oakland, CA 94612
The fight to permanently shut down the federal prison in Dublin continues. So far, the sustained community pressure has prevented the reopening of FCI Dublin as an immigration detention center thus far, and we need your continued support.
On Tuesday, April 7 at 1 p.m., the Alameda County Board of Supervisors will vote on a resolution to oppose the reopening of FCI Dublin as an ICE detention center or other correctional facility.The resolution is co-sponsored by Supervisors David Haubert and Elisa Marquez.
Please take action:
Attend the Board of Supervisors meeting in-person or online. See our toolkit here for guidelines on public comment.
Not able to attend? Submit written comments via email by Monday, April 6, 3 p.m..
Sign up here with the ICE out of Dublin Coalition so we know that you are participating!
If you have questions about public comment, please email Marla Kamiya at mrlakam@gmail.com or Amanda Berger at ajberger84@gmail.com.
Stop Flock Surveillance in Alameda County
Oppose Flock contract expansion at the Alameda County Board of Supervisors Meeting
Tuesday, April 21, 3 p.m.
1221 Oak St # 536, Oakland, CA 94612
On April 21, the Alameda County Board of Supervisors will resume deliberations on a $854,200 contract extension with Flock. The County just voted to strengthen its sanctuary policy with ICE-Free Zones, voting “yes” on this contract would completely contradict its reasoning as ICE digs into Flock cameras to kidnap undocumented neighbors. Contact the District Supervisors before April 21 and show up online and in-person at the Board of Supervisors meeting; tell them to vote NO on the Flock contract. Find the Supervisor's contact info here.
May Day Strong: No work. No school. No shopping.
Friday, May 1
This May 1st, we will be flexing our collective muscle in a tremendous day of people power – showing our unity and strength through a day of no work, no school, no shopping.
Get Involved: Volunteer today
Support Immigrants with Asylum, Pretermission Responses, and Habeas Corpus
There is a critical need for bilingual volunteers to assist with helping asylum seekers in completing their asylum applications and pretermission forms. Volunteers must be proficient in English and another language, Spanish being in the highest demand.
Volunteers are also needed to join a pro bono Habeas Corpus team of lawyers, paralegals and intake interviewers who prepare and file legal pleadings in federal court to seek the release of detained immigrants. No immigration law experience is required. Lawyers can be practicing or retired. Volunteers with no paralegal experience can be trained. Intake interviewers should have Spanish proficiency to communicate with most detainees and their relatives. Mentorship for all volunteers is provided as needed. All work is done online, so volunteers can live anywhere.
Due to the time and training that goes into preparing volunteers, please only sign up if you have serious interest.
Stand in solidarity at Interfaith Immigration Court Vigils
Help create a sacred space and corridor of community welcome outside ICE immigration courts in SF and Concord which have become sites of danger and fear for immigrants accessing due process. Sponsored by Interfaith Movement for Human Integrity (IM4HI).
Observe Immigration Court Proceedings with SF Court Watch
Observe hearings to help assure due process rights in the courtroom are respected. A minimum commitment of 4 daytime hours, once per month is required.
To sign up and receive training, email immcourt@gmail.com.
Join the North Star Network
Become a counselor in training for immigrants seeking to go to Canada through the North Star Network. Weekly trainings & mentoring are offered by immigration lawyers and Quaker counselors. For more information, contact: CollaborativeAction@proton.me
More volunteer opportunities
For more information, go to FLPIR.org.
Adopt a Day-Laborer Corner
Give out red “Know Your Rights” cards & yellow “Rapid Response Network” cards
Support Local Businesses: Canvass with KYR Toolkit