WHERE TO TURN TO FOR ICE ASSISTANCE
Resource, Contacts, & Community Action Preparation
Prepared by Buffalo Latino Village
Buffalo has an active ICE field office and detention facility that affect local immigrants, including
Latinos, though Puerto Ricans as U.S. citizens are sometimes wrongly targeted or harassed in
broader enforcement sweeps, and the same with other American Latinos.
Recent operations and community responses show impacts on West Side, Elmwood, and other
diverse neighborhoods where many Latino families live, work, and own small businesses.
Local ICE presence in Buffalo:
ICE’s Buffalo Field Office is located at 250 Delaware Avenue and oversees enforcement for Western, Central, and Northern New York, which includes Buffalo’s Latino neighborhoods.
Detained individuals are commonly taken to the Buffalo Federal Detention Facility in Batavia, an ICE–Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) site used for arrests from Buffalo and the region.
Recent raids and Latino communities:
In November 2025, ICE and other federal agents arrested four undocumented workers from Mexico and Guatemala at a restaurant on Elmwood Avenue; local advocates and Assembly member Jon Rivera condemned the operation as an attack on a diverse, immigrant-heavy corridor.
Reports indicate that during this period ICE went beyond a single business, setting up checkpoints, visiting Latino businesses, and entering nearby communities, raising fear among Latino workers and families regardless of status.
West Side and neighborhood impact:
Buffalo’s West Side, long home to immigrants and refugees, has seen visible ICE activity, including agents knocking on doors and parking on residential blocks, which has alarmed residents in mixed-status families and diverse communities.
Local elected officials have publicly criticized these operations, describing ICE as “out of control” and warning that policy is being “weaponized” against people who pose no public safety threat, a concern directly relevant to law-abiding Latino and Puerto Rican residents. BUT THEY HAVE NOT GONE FAR ENOUGH!
Puerto Ricans, citizenship, and ICE:
Puerto Ricans are U.S. citizens by birth, and national Latino organizations such as the Puerto Rican Bar Association have condemned ICE for incidents where Puerto Rican families were illegally detained alongside immigrants, underscoring the risk of racial profiling when Latinos are broadly targeted.
These statements argue that aggressive enforcement campaigns framed as “cleansing” undocumented populations can sweep up Puerto Ricans and other Latino citizens, deepening fear and confusion in communities like Buffalo’s where mixed-status households are common.
Courts, detention, and legal risks:
Advocacy groups have documented that ICE arrests people in and around immigration courts in New York, including at the Buffalo Immigration Court, which can deter Latino immigrants from appearing for hearings or seeking help.
For those detained after Buffalo-area arrests, families often must navigate bond posting and communication through the Batavia facility, making access to legal counsel and support especially critical for Latino and mixed-status families.
Latino Focused Groups
Buffalo Latino Village: Community newspaper and advocacy hub connecting Puerto Rican/Latino residents to resources, events, and activism; contact via email at latinovillage1@gmail.com or website for publishing, arts, and local news support.
El Barrio Caribe: Recognized as a vibrant community initiative centered around Dominican-led efforts focused on cultural representation and community empowerment within the city’s diverse Latino population. Led by founder & US Veteran, Eri Alvarado – elbarriocaribe@gmail.com.
El Batey Puerto Rican Center: Cultural center focused on Puerto Rican music, bomba, heritage, and events; reach Beatriz Flores at 716-348-0156 or elbateyprcenter@gmail.com for community gatherings and assistance.
Hispanic Heritage Council: Promotes Puerto Rican and Latino heritage through education, dance, and history programs; contact leaders like Casimiro Rodriguez at 716-912-3489 or cdr3455@gmail.com.
Los Tainos Senior Citizens Center: Serves Puerto Rican seniors with social services, activities, and support; listed as a key resource for older adults in the community.
Hispanos Unidos de Buffalo (HUB): Provides housing, mental health, substance use treatment, domestic violence support, food distribution, and rapid re-housing for Latino families; bilingual staff available, affiliate of Acacia Network.
Hispanics United of Buffalo: Offers integrated social services, health programs, and community empowerment for Hispanic/Latino residents.
Latino Housing Development Corporation: Assists with affordable housing and development needs for Latino families in Buffalo.
Hispanic Women’s League: Supports Latina women through advocacy, education, and social services.
Latino Veterans Association of WNY: Aids Puerto Rican/Latino veterans; contact Jose C. Pizarro at 716-207-7883. No longer in operation, but founder is a reliable source and can direct people to the right source of assistance or help.
Amor and Heritage: Focuses on Puerto Rican dance, heritage, and cultural preservation; reach
MarCe Zerrate at 716-241-1510.
Direct Immigration-focused legal services:
Journey’s End Refugee Services Immigration Legal Services: Provides free immigration representation (citizenship, green cards, family reunification, asylum, work permits, TPS, DACA, and removal defense) with a Buffalo office at 2495 Main Street; services are aimed at low-income immigrants across Western New York and often include community education sessions where Spanish interpretation can be requested.
Legal Aid Bureau of Buffalo/Immigration: Offers free immigration help for low-income people, including naturalization, green card applications, family petitions, and advice when immigration status intersects with criminal cases or family court, which is important for Latino immigrants dealing with both ICE and local courts.
Catholic Charities of Buffalo/Immigration and Refugee Assistance: Provides low-cost help with USCIS forms (adjustment of status, family-based petitions, work authorization, naturalization) plus non-legal services such as ESL, employment, and social services, which can support newly arrived or long-time Latino immigrants. General civil legal aid with immigration awareness
ECBA Volunteer Lawyers Project: Delivers free civil legal services (family law, housing, consumer issues, and some immigration matters) to low-income residents; this can be vital for Latino immigrants experiencing landlord disputes, divorce, custody, or domestic violence tied to immigration stress.
Neighborhood Legal Services: A public-interest law firm offering free legal aid in areas such as housing, disability, and public benefits; they can advise immigrants and mixed-status Latino families on rights around evictions, benefits eligibility, and related civil issues.
How Latino immigrants can use these resources
Call intake lines or walk-in hours (where available) to schedule a consultation and specifically ask for Spanish-speaking staff or interpreters; many of these programs either have bilingual staff or access to interpretation.
When contacting any of these offices, bring or have ready all documents related to immigration status, prior filings, court notices, and any ICE paperwork, which helps attorneys quickly evaluate options for Latino clients facing removal, family separation, or status questions.
COMMUNITY ACTION
Communities can protect immigrants from ICE by organizing rapid response networks, educating people about their rights, and building strong support systems that reduce fear and isolation. Here are some of the most effective strategies communities across the U.S. are using:
Rapid Response & Monitoring
Community alert systems: Residents use whistles, car horns, or text chains to warn neighbors when ICE is spotted nearby.
Hotlines & apps: Local organizations set up emergency numbers or apps to quickly connect families with legal aid and advocates.
Rapid response teams: Volunteers are trained to safely monitor ICE activity, document raids, and provide immediate support.
Education & Rights Awareness:
- Know-your-rights trainings: Workshops teach immigrants what to do if ICE knocks on their door (e.g., not opening without a warrant, staying silent, asking for legal representation).
- Distributing multilingual materials: Flyers, cards, and online resources ensure people understand their rights regardless of language barriers.
- Avoiding false alarms: Communities emphasize accuracy in alerts to prevent panic and mistrust.
Legal & Institutional Support:
- Legal defense funds: Community fundraising helps cover bail, legal fees, and deportation defense.
- Partnerships with lawyers: Pro bono attorneys are mobilized to respond quickly during raids.
- Sanctuary policies: Local governments, schools, and churches can adopt sanctuary practices, limiting cooperation with ICE.
Community Solidarity & Care:
- Safe spaces: Churches, community centers, and even private homes sometimes serve as temporary shelters during raids.
- Mutual aid networks: Neighbors organize food, childcare, and transportation for families disrupted by enforcement.
- Storytelling & advocacy: Sharing immigrant experiences builds empathy and mobilizes broader support.
Building Resilient Communities:
- Resilience over fear: Organizers stress shifting from panic to empowerment—helping immigrants feel supported rather than isolated.
- Coalition building: Alliances between immigrant groups, labor unions, faith communities, and activists strengthen collective resistance.
- Public pressure campaigns: Communities protest raids, demand accountability, and push for policy changes at local and national levels.
Key takeaway: Protecting immigrants from ICE isn’t just about reacting to raids—it’s about
creating a culture of solidarity, preparedness, and resilience. Communities that combine rapid
alerts, legal defense, sanctuary practices, and mutual aid are best positioned to shield their
immigrant neighbors from harm.
Step-by-Step Community Toolkit for Buffalo Organizers
Form or Coordinate Core Organizing Teams:
- Identify trusted community leaders, activists, and volunteers.
- Ensure diverse representation from immigrant groups, local advocates, and legal experts.
Establish Rapid Response Networks:
- Set up communication channels (text groups, phone trees, social media).
- Train volunteers on monitoring ICE activity and safe documentation.
- Create protocols for immediate alerts and support deployment.
Conduct Know-Your-Rights Trainings:
- Organize multilingual workshops on immigrant rights and ICE procedures.
- Distribute easy-to-understand materials (flyers, cards, videos).
- Partner with legal aid organizations for expert guidance.
Develop Emergency Support Systems:
- Set up hotlines and apps for quick connection to legal aid and advocates.
- Coordinate safe spaces for temporary shelter during raids.
- Organize mutual aid for food, childcare, and transportation.
Build Legal Defense Resources:
- Launch community fundraising for bail and legal fees.
- Establish partnerships with pro bono attorneys.
- Maintain a list of trusted legal contracts for rapid deployment.
Promote Sanctuary Practices:
- Support and advocate for sanctuary policies in local institutions.
- Educate community members on sanctuary rights and protections.
Foster Community Solidarity and Storytelling:
- Host events to share immigrant stories and build empathy.
- Use media and social platforms to raise awareness and mobilize support.
Coordinate Public Pressure Campaigns:
- Organize peaceful protests and vigils during enforcement actions.
- Engage local officials to demand accountability and policy change.
Evaluate and Adapt:
- Regularly review response effectiveness and community needs.
- Update training, protocols, and resources accordingly.
Government Platform:
- On a local and state level, elected officials write anti-ICE bills to bring visibility of government support for the immigrants.
- Utilize local and community media to make communities aware of ICE presence.
Summary: Empowerment through Preparedness. This information is designed to help Buffalo communities build resilient, informed, and united responses to protect immigrant neighbors from ICE enforcement.
Attention Community:
React to list, it is a resource list in motion, add to list, contact your elected officials and
community leader/s to take a public stand on ICE presence — Pro or Con.
We need to know where our leaders stand!
Submitted by:
Buffalo Latino Village
PO Box 742
Buffalo, NY 14209
Latinovillage1@gmail.com
info@buffalolatinovillage.com
