St. Louis Immigrant Groups Call for Readiness Over Federal Influx

First, list of detected resources in order of appearance:
1. ICE 287(g) program page (policy) — appears in paragraph: “details are available on the official ICE 287(g) program page.”
2. 287(g) (policy) — appears earlier in “A central driver is the rapid expansion of ICE’s 287(g) program…”
3. official .gov page for ICE 287(g) program (uscis_resource) — same as ICE program page but flagged separately
4. ICE identify-and-remove/287g (uscis_resource) — specific path mentioned in existing link

I will add up to five .gov links, only to the first mention of each resource in the article body, using exact resource names as they appear.

Revised article with only the specified .gov links added (no other changes):

(ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI) St. Louis immigrant advocacy groups are urging residents to get ready for what they call a likely spike in federal immigration enforcement across the region, including a possible influx of federal agents and support from the Missouri National Guard. The call follows recent state and federal moves that, advocates say, could bring more raids, detentions, and status checks in neighborhoods, workplaces, and along major highways.

Town hall and community response

On October 13, 2025, a coalition of St. Louis immigrant and civil rights organizations convened a packed town hall to share plans and teach basic legal steps. Organizers included Migrant and Immigrant Community Action Project, Action St. Louis, ArchCity Defenders, Manos Unidas STL, Migrantes Unidos, and LifeWise STL.

About 200 people attended, many expressing fear and uncertainty. Speakers walked through how to respond if federal agents come to a home or job site, how to verify warrants, and how to set up family emergency plans.

“Preparation does not mean panic — it means knowing who to call, what to say, and how to keep children safe if a parent is taken,” organizers said.

State and federal actions fueling concern

The concern is fueled by Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe’s authorization to deploy the state’s National Guard in support roles for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The order, issued in response to a federal request, allows Guard personnel to handle administrative, clerical, and logistical tasks so ICE agents can focus on direct enforcement. The authorization runs through at least September 30, 2026.

• State officials say the aim is to provide capacity.
• Civil rights groups warn the move could escalate detentions and widen fear among immigrant families.

Advocates say coordination between federal agencies and state partners is growing. Under President Trump, federal officials expanded the use of National Guard support and sent more agents to Democratic-led cities. Missouri is among at least 20 states that have complied with or are considering such federal requests. The Department of Defense has also increased support for ICE operations, and Missouri could see Guard members stationed at detention sites or other facilities to backstop field work.

The American Civil Liberties Union and other organizations criticized the Guard deployment, arguing it risks politicizing state resources and may harm community safety. They note Missouri has faced recent natural disasters, and shifting Guard capacity to immigration tasks may strain disaster response. Attorneys warn aggressive enforcement can push immigrant victims and witnesses away from police, weakening public safety for everyone.

Policy moves driving concern

A central driver is the rapid expansion of ICE’s 287(g) program in Missouri and parts of the Midwest in 2025. Through 287(g), local law enforcement can perform certain federal immigration functions after training and under ICE supervision.

• In Missouri, the Highway Patrol and some county sheriffs now have officers trained to question immigration status and conduct immigration-related arrests during their normal duties.
• Advocates say these agreements have rolled out with little public input or oversight.

ICE describes 287(g) as a force multiplier that links local and federal efforts; details are available on the official ICE 287(g) program page.

Residents reported seeing new patterns in nearby cities, especially Chicago, where federal actions have intensified in recent months. St. Louis organizers say they are preparing now to avoid confusion if similar tactics appear locally. They worry about home visits without proper warrants, workplace operations, and wide status checks that could sweep up people with no criminal record. Community groups also point to a lack of clear city plans for crowd control or de-escalation if a raid sparks protests.

How residents are preparing

At the town hall, lawyers and organizers focused on simple steps families can take now. They urged residents—regardless of status—to write down key phone numbers, identify a trusted adult to pick up children if a parent is detained, and learn what to do if federal officers knock.

Key actions shared by organizers included:

• Create emergency plans and rapid response networks with neighbors and community groups.
• Practice how to ask officers to slip a warrant under the door and check for a judge’s signature.
• Connect vulnerable community members to trusted support networks and local clinics.
• Prepare for information sharing, communication, and legal defense needs using secure channels.
• Stay updated through community hotlines and attend know-your-rights trainings.

Attorneys reminded residents of fundamental legal rights:

• Right to remain silent
• Right to speak with a lawyer
• Difference between an administrative ICE warrant and a judicial warrant signed by a judge

Practical legal tips emphasized:

1. Ask officers to pass documents under the door for review rather than opening it.
2. Do not present false documents or lie.
3. Avoid signing papers you do not understand.

Community legal and support efforts

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, communities often respond to rising federal-state enforcement by building local support systems—rapid response teams, legal defense funds, and training hubs—to reduce panic and help families make clear plans. St. Louis groups say they will continue weekly workshops and set up more multilingual hotlines as activity increases.

Public interest law groups and private attorneys are coordinating to handle sudden spikes in detentions. They are creating:

• Intake forms
• Volunteer rosters
• Weekend shifts

Advocates say early legal contact often changes outcomes in detention and bond decisions.

Business and employer guidance

Business owners raised concerns about surprise visits at job sites. Organizers advised employers to:

• Review labor records
• Train managers on how to handle official requests for information
• Encourage workers to know their rights during identity checks
• Keep personal documents in safe places, not at work

Communications and misinformation risks

Local leaders urged residents to avoid rumors and verify reports before sharing. False alarms can:

• Sow panic
• Send families into hiding
• Drain limited legal resources

Organizers promised to post verified updates through community channels and to partner with faith groups to share accurate, timely information.

Important: Verify before sharing — false alarms and rumors can endanger families and waste legal resources.

Broader debate and next steps

While the United States has long balanced federal immigration authority with local policing needs, the current mix of National Guard support, expanded 287(g) agreements, and increased federal presence in large cities has raised fresh questions in St. Louis.

• Some local officials argue closer cooperation helps remove people with serious criminal records.
• Advocates counter that broad status checks can lead to racial profiling and family separation, harming schools, workplaces, and community trust.

For now, St. Louis immigrant families are making plans, gathering documents, and leaning on neighbors. Organizers say the goal is simple: keep people calm, informed, and ready to use their rights if faced with an enforcement action.

The governor’s order remains in effect through September 30, 2026, and federal-state coordination continues. Advocates expect more 287(g) sign-ups and warn that enforcement may shift quickly across counties. Community groups plan to:

• Hold more town halls
• Expand rapid response teams
• Push city leaders to publish clear guidance on how local agencies will communicate during operations

Organizers say they will keep working with schools, clinics, and shelters to reach families who may not attend public meetings. They urge residents to report problems, share verified updates, and support legal funds that help low-income families. In their view:

• The best defense is a connected community that knows its rights and stands ready to help one another when the stakes are high.