EMERGENCY EPISODE: How to Be Vigilant During ICE Raids At Airports, Protests, and More w/Kala, "Your Protest Safety Kuya"

Trigger/Content Warning: Kala and Randy discussing examples of state-sanctioned v*olence from ICE, law enforcement, and government agents

Episode recorded on Tuesday, March 24th, 2026; 3:30 pm US Central Time

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In this emergency episode, I connect with Kala (He/They) aka “Your Protest Safety Kuya” to address the current wave of ICE raids happening at U.S. airports. He dives deep into the changing landscape for travelers—whether local, domestic, or international—and provides essential strategies for protecting yourself and advocating for others in the face of state-sanctioned v*olence.

Key Discussion Points

* The Current Landscape: Understanding the deployment of ICE and CBP agents at airports and what to expect in the coming weeks.

* Know Your Rights While Traveling: Practical “dos and don’ts” when ICE is in the vicinity, including how to handle searches of smartphones, laptops, and GPS trackers.

* Advocacy in Action: How to safely support and document (via photo/video) if you witness someone being searched or harmed by law enforcement.

* Responsible Tech Use: Navigating face-recognition features and social media safety while participating in movement work.

* Inclusive Safety: Specific considerations for travelers who are undocumented, neurodivergent, or living with disabilities.

* Movement Security: Preparing emergency contacts, legal counsel, and paperwork for those publicly outspoken against government actions.

Collective Community Effort

This conversation emphasizes that safety is not just an individual task but a collective community effort. By staying informed without being alarmist, we can provide the nuance and context needed to protect each other and build a more resilient movement.

Bio:

Kalaya’an Mendoza (He/They) is a Frontline Safety and Security specialist, human rights defender and direct action trainer with over 25 years of on-the-ground experience. He is the co-founder of Across Frontlines, a grassroots collective that works alongside frontline communities around the world from Aotearoa (Ah-o-teya-rho-a) to Turtle Island in their struggle for justice and self determination.

Accompanying Links:

Digital Security Checklists for Activists: https://activistchecklist.org/

Protest Safety Resources: https://linktr.ee/kalamendoza

Resources:

* https://activistchecklist.org/travel/

* https://www.nilc.org/resources/community-alert-immigration-arrests-at-airports/

* https://immigrantsrising.org/resource/guide-for-undocumented-individuals-traveling-in-the-u-s/

Tools:

* https://activistchecklist.org/travel/

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