“Here comes La Migra!”: Videos of migrants who pretend to flee from ice, viral | US

Pictures and videos of migrants who hide from “La Migra” have become viral in the past few weeks. On Tikkok, Instagram and Facebook, recordings circulate, the strategies to expand the raids for immigration and customs authorities (ICE) and the reaction when agents storm a job. Some approach humor while others convey fear and concern.

One of the most popular videos was made by the Account Hispanics Tiktok entitled ” “When ice comes to your workplace.” With millions of reactions, it shows several people who run at their workplaces and hid and use rooms such as kitchens, storage rooms, washing machines, refrigerators and even garbage bags. The message is clear: when ice arrives, you will find a hiding place and keep silent.

Since Donald Trump took office, ICE operations have aimed to have increased “the greatest deportation of history” in several countries and to tighten the fear within the immigrant community. For this reason, some activists ask for a review of how information is shared on social media. It is crucial to know how to react to a raid, but it can facilitate the task of the immigration and customs authority. “This type of content can provide the authorities more information than migrants themselves” Warns Sandra Sierra, a lawyer who specializes in immigration rights.

These videos also intensify stereotypes about the Hispanic Community, the types of jobs that they held, and the idea that migrants live to hide or refugees to the authorities say. “These stereotypes strengthen the narrative of the current government and the perspective of a sector of American society, which sees it as a population that lives outside of the law and accepts the work of US citizens,” says human rights lawyer Simón León Hernández.

Social media has developed from simple entertainment platforms in strategic communication channels for the Latino community. The phenomenon of ice raids has triggered a debate: Are these videos a legitimate sensitization instrument or expose the migrant community? While some consider them useful for the exchange of information, migrant law organizations warn of their risks.

César Espinosa, Managing Director of the Organization Familia's in Migrantes Y Estudiantes en La Lucha (Fall) In Texas, they advise you to create these types of videos because they can spread misinformation about migrant rights in custody, how to act during an operation and what to do in the event of a possible deportation. He also warns that if she is looking for someone and tries to hide or resist arrest, he could be exposed to criminal charges. Resisting not only increases the likelihood of active ingredients that use active ingredients, but can also lead to additional fees that accelerate the deportation process for non-US citizens.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) emphasizes how important it is not to oppose the arrest, even if it appears unfair. The organization clearly recommends the desire to stay still and immediately ask for the support of a lawyer. They also emphasize how important it is not to give any explanations or excuses and to avoid documents without proper legal assistance.

For this reason, lawyer Sierra emphasizes the importance of promoting legal training instead of reaching short videos on social media. “The ideal is that this activism for social media is accompanied by reliable legal advice so that migrant communities can make sound decisions without unnecessary uncovering,” she says.

In the meantime, the videos will continue to record prospects. In the comments on Hispanics Tiktok, some users thanks the Creator for the Council, recognize the Latino sense of humor, while others warn that too much information is revealed. The immigrant community tries to feel safe, but in the age of social media the border between protection and exposure has never been so thin.

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