First-of-its-kind 'Know Your Rights' workshop for deaf & hard of hearing held in Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Organizers held a first-of-its-kind workshop in Fresno on Friday as President Trump cracks down on immigration enforcement.

American Sign Language interpreters helped the deaf and hard-of-hearing learn about their legal rights.

"The first thing, is you assert your right to remain silent," Brenda Ordaz with the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights said. "You say, 'I am asserting my right to remain silent.'"

Ortiz told attendees that the Americans with Disabilities Act offers specific protections for them.

"Let them know, first of all, that you are part of the deaf or hard-of-hearing community and that you need an interpreter."

The event drew dozens of people, who stayed engaged for nearly 90 minutes and asked several questions.

Organizers believe it shows a need in the community.

"Now, they finally have a resource and someone to give this information, and they wanted to take advantage of it," Viridiana Alvarez, the executive director of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Service Center, said.

"They finally had a source they could directly ask their specific questions."

The event occurred as the Trump administration touts record arrests of undocumented immigrants.

While a federal judge has blocked raids in much of California, images from Los Angeles and across the country have Jesus on edge.

"Of course, I'm scared," Jesus said. "And, I don't feel at ease with this at all. And I've been seeing a lot of things, and it's very terrifying."

Jesus feels even more at risk because he is deaf.

"As an individual here, I just want to be safe," he said. "Please don't hurt people. Please be respectful."

The Trump administration faces, by some counts, hundreds of lawsuits. Some claim federal immigration officers are violating laws and even rights.

Action News asked organizers if community members can trust that what they learned Friday will even help them.

"We are seeing that as long as we are exercising our rights, if they are acting not within the law or they are violating their rights, we can always address that at the courts level," Ordaz said.

The Deaf and Hard of Hearing Service Center is distributing cards that detail the rights outlined on Friday for people to carry.

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