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FedWatch

Language Accessibility

Language Accessibility

Section titled “Language Accessibility”

It is incredibly important to include materials and updates in the languages of community members most likely to be targeted.

Principles

Section titled “Principles”
  1. Know your community - Identify which languages are spoken in your neighborhood
  2. Recruit multilingual volunteers - The best solution is having fluent speakers on your team
  3. Prepare translations in advance - Common messages should be pre-translated
  4. Use simple, clear language - Easier to translate and understand under stress

Priority Languages

Section titled “Priority Languages”

Depending on your area, common languages include:

  • Spanish
  • Mandarin/Cantonese
  • Hindi
  • Arabic
  • Korean
  • Vietnamese
  • Haitian Creole
  • Polish
  • Russian
  • Tagalog
  • Portuguese

Pre-Translated Alert Messages

Section titled “Pre-Translated Alert Messages”

ICE Alert

Section titled “ICE Alert”

English:

Alert! ICE is in your neighborhood. Do not go outside if you are at risk.

Spanish:

¡Alerta! ICE está en tu vecindario. No salgas si estás en riesgo.

Hindi:

सावधान! ICE अधिकारी आपके आस-पड़ोस में हैं। अगर आपको कोई खतरा है, कृपया बाहर न जाएँ।

Dari/Farsi:

هشدار! آیس (پلیس ضد مهاجرت) در محله شماست. اگر خطر براتون وجود دارد، بیرون نروید.

Arabic:

تنبيه! عناصر الهجرة (ICE) في حيّك. لا تخرج إذا كنت معرّضاً للخطر.

Chinese (Simplified):

警报！ICE正在你的社区。如果您有风险，请不要外出。

Korean:

경고! ICE가 당신의 동네에 있습니다. 위험에 처해 있다면 밖에 나가지 마세요.

Vietnamese:

Cảnh báo! ICE đang ở trong khu vực của bạn. Đừng ra ngoài nếu bạn có nguy cơ.

All Clear Messages

Section titled “All Clear Messages”

English:

All clear. ICE has left the area. Stay alert.

Spanish:

Todo despejado. ICE se ha ido del área. Mantente alerta.

Know Your Rights Summaries

Section titled “Know Your Rights Summaries”

Keep translated one-pagers ready:

  • Right to remain silent
  • Right to not open the door
  • Right to ask for a warrant
  • Don’t sign anything you don’t understand
  • Family emergency plan basics

Translation Resources

Section titled “Translation Resources”

Recruiting Translators

Section titled “Recruiting Translators”
  • Partner with immigrant-serving organizations
  • Ask bilingual community members to volunteer
  • Connect with university language departments
  • Partner with faith communities serving immigrant populations

Professional Translation

Section titled “Professional Translation”

For important documents (legal rights, detailed protocols), consider:

  • Professional translation services
  • Legal organizations with translation capacity
  • Review by native speakers before distribution

Machine Translation Limitations

Section titled “Machine Translation Limitations”
  • Use only for initial drafts
  • Always have a fluent speaker review
  • Be cautious with legal terminology
  • Cultural nuance may be lost

Communication Tips

Section titled “Communication Tips”

When You Don’t Share a Language

Section titled “When You Don’t Share a Language”

Use simple phrases:

  • “ICE” is generally understood
  • “Policia” for Spanish speakers
  • Point to exits, gesture safety

Visual aids:

  • Create simple pictograms
  • Use internationally recognized symbols
  • Prepare visual Know Your Rights cards

During Active Incidents

Section titled “During Active Incidents”

If you encounter someone who doesn’t speak English:

  1. Try to identify their language
  2. Use translation app if necessary (offline mode for security)
  3. Focus on essential information: “Safe” / “Danger” / “Go” / “Stay”
  4. Connect them with a speaker of their language ASAP

Multi-Language Channel Strategies

Section titled “Multi-Language Channel Strategies”

Option 1: Separate Channels

Section titled “Option 1: Separate Channels”

Create language-specific broadcast channels:

  • ICE Watch Broadcast - English
  • ICE Watch Broadcast - Español
  • ICE Watch Broadcast - 中文

Pros: Clear communication in each language Cons: More channels to maintain, may split community

Option 2: Multi-Language Posts

Section titled “Option 2: Multi-Language Posts”

Post alerts in multiple languages in one channel:

ALERT / ALERTA / 警报
ICE at Main & First / ICE en Main & First / ICE在Main和First
Stay indoors / Quédate adentro / 待在室内

Pros: Single channel, everyone sees all languages Cons: Longer messages, may be overwhelming

Option 3: Translation Team

Section titled “Option 3: Translation Team”

Designated translators who quickly translate and repost:

  1. Admin posts in English
  2. Spanish translator reposts in Spanish
  3. Chinese translator reposts in Chinese

Pros: Professional, accurate Cons: Requires available translators, slight delay

KYR Cards in Multiple Languages

Section titled “KYR Cards in Multiple Languages”

Digital Know Your Rights cards available at: bit.ly/ICIRRCards (or your local equivalent)

Common languages available:

  • Arabic
  • Chinese
  • French
  • Haitian Creole
  • Hindi
  • Korean
  • Polish
  • Quechua
  • Russian
  • Spanish
  • Ukrainian
  • Urdu
  • Vietnamese

Print and distribute in your community!