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--></style></head><body lang=EN-US link="#467886" vlink="#96607D" style='word-wrap:break-word'><div class=WordSection1><p>Dear Federation Leaders,<o:p></o:p></p><p> <o:p></o:p></p><p>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p> <o:p></o:p></p><p>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p>Accordingly, my guidance is as follows:<o:p></o:p></p><p> <o:p></o:p></p><p><b>1. Prioritize member safety over symbolism.</b> 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.<o:p></o:p></p><p><b>2. Avoid interfering with federal law enforcement activity.</b> 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.<o:p></o:p></p><p><b>3. Lead the meeting agenda as planned.</b> 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.<o:p></o:p></p><p><b>4. Document what occurs when lawful to do so.</b> 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.<o:p></o:p></p><p>5. No statements should be made on behalf of the National Federation of the Blind without coordination with me and our communications group.<o:p></o:p></p><p>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p> <o:p></o:p></p><p>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p> <o:p></o:p></p><p>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p> <o:p></o:p></p><p>Thank you for your leadership and for the care you show for our members during challenging times.<o:p></o:p></p><p> <o:p></o:p></p><p>Warm regards, Mark<o:p></o:p></p><p> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Mark A. Riccobono, President<br>National Federation of the Blind </span><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:11.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'>Steve Cook</span><span style='font-size:11.0pt;mso-ligatures:none'><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'>National Association of Guide Dog Users Board Member<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-ligatures:none'>President of the Computer Science & Technology Division of the National Federation of the Blind of SC <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>