New App Lets Undocumented Immigrants Alert Friends When Targeted by ICE

Opposition to Donald Trump’s stepped up immigration enforcement took a novel step forward recently with the introduction of a new app that will alert users to when and where ICE raids are happening.

The purpose of the app, called Notifica, is to allow undocumented migrants to alert friends and relatives when raids are underway. Notifications are set to automatically delete after they are opened, giving the app a certain Snapchat-esque feel.

“[ICE] shows up unannounced to neighborhoods, public spaces and work places,” app creator Adrian Reyna told Rolling Stone. “Most people think, ‘Oh, you can run away,’ but that’s not the case for many [undocumented] immigrants. It paralyzes you. You go into shock. In that moment, you have to think about all of the multiple intricacies: What are they going to do? Who should I call? What should I tell them? Having to sort through all of that in a moment of fear is impossible.”

Reyna, who is himself undocumented but presently protected by President Obama’s DACA Executive Order, serves as Director of Digital Strategies for the immigrant advocacy organization, United We Dream.

So far, the app has taken off. Though it won’t go live until April 10, it has already been downloaded more than 8,000 times.

[image via screengrab]

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