[NFBofSC] Message from Mark A. Riccobono, President

[Steve Cook]

Dear Federation Leaders,

 

I have received questions about how to respond if federal immigration
enforcement activity were to occur in connection with an NFB meeting or
event. Given heightened concerns in some communities, I want to provide
general guidance to help affiliates protect our members, maintain the
integrity of our programs, and avoid unnecessary risk. We are operating in a
challenging time in our nation, and we will have to continue to coordinate
with each other, take measured steps authentic to our organization, and
support each other as leaders as we work to build our movement while not
ignoring what is happening around us. My heart goes out to our members who
are directly and indirectly affected by these events.

 

It is important to be clear about our limitations. Most NFB affiliate
meetings and events are open to the public and are held in facilities we do
not own or control. In those circumstances, affiliates generally do not have
a legal basis to deny entry to federal law enforcement agents who are
lawfully present. Attempting to do so could place individual members or the
affiliate itself at risk.

Accordingly, my guidance is as follows:

 

1.      Prioritize member safety over symbolism. No one should feel pressure
to take risks, make statements, or put themselves in harm's way. Protecting
our members-particularly those who may already feel vulnerable-must come
before any impulse to respond publicly in the moment.

2.      Avoid interfering with federal law enforcement activity. Members and
leaders should not attempt to block, confront, or physically intervene with
agents. Our priority must always be the safety of our members and the
long-term health of the organization.

3.      Lead the meeting agenda as planned. While we may not be able to
exclude agents from a public event, we should expect that meetings proceed
as planned. If enforcement activity is not directly related to the event,
leaders should calmly and firmly insist that the meeting not be interrupted
or disrupted.

4.      Document what occurs when lawful to do so. In states that permit
one-party-consent recording, it is appropriate to record interactions for
documentation purposes. This should be done discreetly and without
escalating the situation. Recording in two-party consent states may also be
appropriate, but affiliates should check the state law for limitations.
Affiliates should be aware of and comply with their state's recording laws.

5.      No statements should be made on behalf of the National Federation of
the Blind without coordination with me and our communications group.

6.      Affiliates may also consider working with community partners to
ensure that "know your rights" resources are available to members in
accessible formats, making clear that these resources are informational and
not a substitute for legal counsel.

 

This guidance is not intended to discourage vigilance or care for our
community. Rather, it reflects our responsibility to act thoughtfully,
lawfully, and in ways that safeguard both individuals and the Federation as
a whole.

 

If an affiliate encounters a situation of concern or has questions about how
to respond, please notify me so we can be aware of emerging issues and
provide additional support where appropriate.

 

Thank you for your leadership and for the care you show for our members
during challenging times.

 

Warm regards, Mark

 

Mark A. Riccobono, President
National Federation of the Blind 

 

Steve Cook

National Association of Guide Dog Users Board Member

President of the Computer Science & Technology Division of the National
Federation of the Blind of SC 

 

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