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Marpheen Chann of Portland is the author of the memoir “Moon in Full” and a speaker.
A chilling sense of uncertainty has taken hold as the new administration transitions into power. Many are rightfully fearful — worried about their families, their livelihoods, and the future ahead. In times like these, the instinct is to act quickly, to do something in response to growing threats.
But before we hit “share” on that next social media post about an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid, we need to pause and ask ourselves: Are we helping, or are we unintentionally causing harm? Are there more effective ways to help those most impacted?
This is where intent versus impact comes in. Our intent may be to warn and protect our communities, but the impact of spreading unverified reports can be panic, unnecessary disruptions, and emotional distress. When false reports of ICE activity circulate, families scramble — pulling kids out of school, leaving work early, or even going into hiding — only to later find out it was a false alarm. The damage is already done, and trust erodes in the process.
Of course, when real ICE raids happen, they are devastating. People are detained. Families are separated. Entire communities feel the ripple effects.
But false alarms also have real consequences. They create a constant state of fear, where every siren, uniform, or police vehicle sets off waves of anxiety. They disrupt lives, forcing families to make unnecessary sacrifices. And over time, they lead to “alert fatigue,” where people begin to ignore warnings — even when a real threat emerges.
Social media has been a powerful tool for activists and community organizers, helping mobilize support, spread critical information, and hold authorities accountable. But it has also become a breeding ground for misinformation, particularly in moments of crisis.
Some false reports come from well-meaning people who want to help but don’t stop to verify. Others are spread by bad actors who deliberately sow fear and chaos, whether for political reasons or simply because they enjoy the spectacle of panic. Regardless of intent, the impact remains the same: unnecessary distress for those already living under constant threat.
My point is that there has to be a better way. Rather than amplifying every potential ICE sighting, we should be deliberate and discerning in how we share information. One possible way is to create a coordinated community platform — a centralized, trusted space where people can report ICE activity for verification before it spreads widely.
Collectively, advocacy and community organizations, immigration attorneys, and community members could work together to establish a secure hotline, website, platform or text-based system where individuals can submit sightings with key details, such as date, time, location, vehicle descriptions, and, if possible, photo or video evidence. This would allow trained staff or volunteers to verify reports, filter out misinformation, and provide accurate alerts to communities in real time.
By shifting from panic-driven sharing to structured, collective action, we can ensure that warnings are credible, response efforts are strategic, and communities are informed, without unnecessary fear and disruption.
With power comes responsibility. Not only for those in office or influential roles, but also for community members. Being an ally isn’t just about acting quickly — it’s about acting wisely. If we truly want to protect immigrant communities, we must be careful, thoughtful, and intentional in our actions. Because when it comes to ICE raids, misinformation can be just as harmful as the raids themselves.
