Richard Claytor and Ron Bell, two dedicated community leaders from Boston, Massachusetts, have developed a crucial resource to help Black residents and other communities of color navigate increasing immigration enforcement actions under the Trump administration and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
In response to growing concerns about racial profiling and deportations, the pair launched a “know your rights” initiative aimed at communities of color across Massachusetts, according to Paul Singer of GBH News. Their guide, known as The Black Book, serves as a practical tool to prepare individuals for unexpected encounters with law enforcement.
The Black Book offers clear, accessible information on key civil liberties, including the right to vote, immigrant protections, and how to safely document incidents of police misconduct or racial profiling. Modeled after guidance from organizations like the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Claytor and Bell seek to arm communities with critical knowledge, minimize harm during encounters with law enforcement, and drive home a powerful truth—rights can only be protected when they are fully understood.
Their work arrives at a pivotal moment.
As aggressive deportation efforts continue under the Trump administration, fear and uncertainty ripple through communities across the U.S. According to an April 28 White House press release, since President Trump took office, more than 139,000 people have been deported. In just his first 50 days, ICE arrested 32,809 undocumented immigrants—nearly 75% of whom were alleged or convicted criminals—reportedly matching the total number of arrests during President Biden’s final year in office.
Claytor, who serves as Program Director at Boston’s Family Nurturing Center, is particularly concerned about how these policies may disproportionately affect Black residents, who already face systemic challenges in the…
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