The Court Accompaniment Volunteer Training prepares volunteers to support immigrants at court hearings and ICE/ISAP check-ins in New York City. This work responds to escalating federal enforcement targeting immigrant communities through raids, detention, and courthouse arrests.

New York City, home to one of the largest and most diverse immigrant populations in the country, now leads the nation in ICE courthouse abductions. Due to the city’s robust networks of unions, community organizations, and immigrant-led groups, it is also a key location to establish defense and solidarity that can set national precedents for sanctuary and collective protection.

Volunteers accompany community members through these high-risk appointments to provide a calm, supportive presence, follow safety protocols, and stay in contact with the coordination team. Volunteers should be U.S. citizens or non-citizens who understand the risks and have morning availability (usually 7:00–11:00 a.m.). Accompaniments can last 2 to 6 hours or longer, depending on court schedules and outcomes.

The training covers basic rights when interacting with ICE and other law enforcement and how to stay safe, organized, and effective before, during, and after accompaniment.