By Derek Kravitsky
HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Many Hawaii educators are on edge following an immigration raid on Maui.
Agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) gathered a group of teachers on May 7 at a home in Kahului while searching for a wanted fugitive.
Although there were no arrests, the tense moments have left community members worried about future sweeps.
Those fears spurred the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), the Hawaii State Teachers Association (HSTA) and Congresswoman Jill Tokuda to hold an online educational seminar to advise participants of their rights if they get detained or questioned.
Nathan Lee, a Policy Legislative Fellow with the ACLU says the 5th Amendment, the right to remain silent, is vital.
“You should not answer questions about criminal or immigration history when asked by ICE agents or by people who you suspect may be ICE agents. And additionally, don’t lie or show false documents to enforcement agents or try to resist arrest.” Lee said
However, Lee says drivers who are pulled over, are required to show their license, registration and insurance.
Lee also encourages immigrants who have been in the U.S. for more than two years to carry bills, bank statements or other documentation to prove their length of residency.
He says those who have been in the U.S. for less than two years are not guaranteed the right to due process and a hearing prior to deportation.
Lee also notes that ICE agents must have a judicial warrant, issued by a court and signed by a judge if an agent wants to search a property. Lee says an administrative warrant, issued by ICE and signed by an immigration officer, is not enough to execute a search.
Lee urges anyone arrested by ICE to exercise their right to speak with a lawyer and not sign any documents without an attorney present.
Addressing concerns they are targeting certain groups, ICE responded with the following statement:
“HSI does not indiscriminately target ethnic or professional groups, and its agents professionally conduct themselves as they fulfill their mission to support public safety and secure our borders. Making unsubstantiated comments to suggest otherwise places our agents and our communities at risk and erodes public faith in law enforcement for no reason. HSI will aggressively push back on false accusations to ensure the public has access to the truth and is informed on our mission to support public safety.”
Article can be found here: https://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/2025/05/21/deportation-fears-spur-hawaii-t...