Providence will send bilingual mailers advising residents how to respond to ICE, sparking debate over local-federal roles.

City Council Approves ‘Know Your Rights’ Mailers

The Providence City Council has approved a new initiative to distribute bilingual mailers that inform residents of their constitutional rights when approached by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. The move comes as the Trump administration intensifies immigration enforcement efforts nationwide, creating anxiety within immigrant communities in Rhode Island’s capital.

The “Know Your Rights” cards, which will be mailed to households across Providence, provide instructions in both English and Spanish. Residents are advised not to open their doors unless ICE agents present a valid warrant signed by a judge. The cards also include a detachable section designed to be kept in a wallet and shown to authorities if needed. The mailer campaign, developed in partnership with over a dozen local immigrant rights organizations, is intended to help residents assert their rights and access community resources if confronted by law enforcement.

“The Providence City Council is partnering with organizations that represent our diverse community to promote safety and inclusion in the face of fear and uncertainty that pervades our city’s immigrant communities due to the reckless cruelty of the Trump administration,” Council President Rachel Miller said in a statement. “For nearly 400 years, immigrants have been and continue to be vital to Providence. The Council stands together to say immigrants are welcome here and to encourage every member of our community to educate themselves about their constitutional rights and where to find help if they need it.”

According to a council spokesperson, the city allocated $17,000 for the campaign. The mailers reflect months of collaboration between the council and advocacy groups, aiming to reinforce Providence’s longstanding identity as a city of immigrants. Council President Pro Tempore Juan M. Pichardo emphasized, “Nothing is more fundamental to the American experience than the right to live here peacefully and prosperously, regardless of country of origin or documentation status.”

Republican Opposition and Calls for Investigation

The Rhode Island Republican Party has condemned the initiative and is demanding an investigation. Party officials noted that the city recently enacted an 8% tax increase, criticizing the use of public funds for what they call “political theater.” In a statement, Party Chair Jow Powers argued, “The Providence City Council used public funds to push propaganda that undermines federal law, all while gouging taxpayers. If you’re an elected official aiding lawbreakers, you don’t belong in office, you belong under investigation. Period.”

Republican critics contend that the mailers encourage non-cooperation with federal authorities and divert city resources from protecting legal residents. Supporters, however, maintain that the cards are a necessary tool to educate and protect immigrant families at risk of being swept up in federal raids.

The mailers were developed in response to ongoing ICE operations under the Trump administration that have targeted undocumented immigrants, including those with criminal convictions. Local Democratic leaders and advocacy organizations argue that these actions create fear, separate families, and destabilize communities. Recent enforcement activities in other cities, such as Los Angeles, have led to unrest and public demonstrations.

As the debate over immigration enforcement and local resistance continues, Providence’s effort reflects the city’s commitment to supporting its immigrant residents and ensuring that all community members are aware of their legal rights, regardless of documentation status.