Providence’s Bold Move: Mailers Teach Residents to Resist ICE Amid Tax Hike Controversy

In a bold move, Providence’s City Council has greenlit a campaign to distribute 'Know Your Rights' mailers, guiding residents on navigating encounters with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. These bilingual cards, in English and Spanish, inform households of their constitutional protections, advising them not to open doors without a judge-signed warrant and offering a detachable wallet-sized card to present to ICE agents.

Council President Rachel Miller emphasized the city’s commitment to its immigrant communities, stating, 'For nearly four centuries, immigrants have been the heartbeat of Providence. We’re standing firm to ensure they feel safe and informed.' The initiative, backed by over a dozen local advocacy groups, comes with a $17,000 price tag, sparking controversy amid an 8% tax hike.

The Rhode Island Republican Party slammed the move as 'political theater', with Chair Jow Powers calling for an investigation, arguing, 'Public funds shouldn’t undermine federal law or burden taxpayers.' They claim the council is shirking its duty to uphold the Constitution.

Council President Pro Tempore Juan M. Pichardo countered, 'The right to live peacefully, regardless of origin, is core to America’s story.' The mailers respond to heightened ICE operations targeting undocumented immigrants, which Democrats argue disrupt families and fuel community unrest, citing recent Los Angeles riots following ICE arrests.

This clash underscores deeper tensions: a city embracing its immigrant roots versus critics who see defiance of federal authority. Providence’s move signals a broader resistance, prioritizing community over compliance.