An Accompaniment Program is a method through which allied individuals, organizations, and congregations provide solidarity to individuals facing deportation or contact with immigration officials for which they would like support. The process supported by RAICES and local sanctuary networks staff, the congregation and family build mutual, long-term relationships to stop the deportation, serve as a witness in spaces of injustice, and collectively grow as community leaders in the fight for immigrant rights.

By volunteering to accompany individuals to ICE check-ins, immigration, and other court hearings, you are showing solidarity and helping to ease the anxiety of interacting with the legal system, reducing the likelihood of detention with your presence, and keeping relatives or lawyers informed in case the person with you is detained. This will be a huge help to efforts to find ways to stop the actual deportation.

ICE Check Ins

When: Working hours during weekdays
Where: ICE Field Office 3523 Crosspoint Drive, San Antonio, TX 78217
Individuals have check ins with ICE for a variety of reasons including after release from detention, as part of ongoing check-ins, and to respond to requests from ICE.

Immigration Court Dates

When: Working hours during weekdays
Where: EOIR courthouse 800 Dolorosa Street, San Antonio, TX 78207
In many cases waiting times are quite long, so you may need to block off several hours or an entire day.

Bond Payment

When: Working hours during weekdays
Where: ICE Field Office 3523 Crosspoint Drive, San Antonio, TX 78217
Individuals who need to have their immigration bonds paid and do not have family or friends available to pay the bond may need assistance from vetted community members.Paying the bond usually takes less than 2 hours.

Check Point Accompaniment**

When: May be anytime
Where: There are many internal checkpoints in South Texas including:

• Laredo - 29 miles north of Laredo on I-35 and 35 miles north of Laredo on Hwy 83

• Falfurrias - 14 miles south of Falfurrias on 281

• Sarita - 14 miles south of Sarita on Rt 77

Why: Many individuals need to access services and have family and work reasons for needing to cross the checkpoint. Accompanying individuals across the checkpoint provides witness and can potentially improve outcomes.