Rapid response network, podcast share accurate information on ICE sightings, elected officials’ responses

Arango, referencing a phrase used by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., said he and other organizers are working to “create a beloved community.”

To that end, Arango, who is also a journalist and a lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania, worked with community members at CCATE to start a podcast, “Diálogos de la Villa Inmigrante,” or “Dialogues of the Immigrant Village,” in November 2024.

“We think that good dialogue, positive dialogue with the authorities, to hear the community, to know the community firsthand, can provide a better understanding of who we are as a community,” he said. “That deep conversation, no, at every level of government is key … because that can help to actually build changes in the coming future.”

The podcast garners thousands of listeners for each episode. Recent guests included U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean and U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon.

Arango said the podcast also serves as a way to communicate verified, accurate information to community members.

“We are very always careful that the information that we present is proven, that it has a source, no, that it has a direct understanding of things,” he said. “We are very careful on that.”

For Resistencia en Acción NJ, the priority of providing accurate information to the community is also paramount, and carried out by volunteers in its rapid response network.

“We’ve been recruiting more people, fundraising for our rapid response team,” he said. “We have increased our patrols. We have people patrolling every morning, operators on the phone to attend to the rapid response line, people who confirm ICE presence in the area that’s reported. So that requires a lot of coordination and resources that we are covering through this fund.”

Almirón said those who are interested in contacting the organization to learn more about volunteering or resources can call 609-436-0207, or email at info@resistenciaenaccionnj.org. For the rapid response network, they can call 640-446-2386.