As federal immigration enforcement policies expand, the American Immigration Council and Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services have launched a new playbook to aid state and local leaders in responding effectively.
NEW HAVEN, CT / WASHINGTON, DC — In response to the growing impact of federal immigration enforcement policies, the American Immigration Council (AIC) and Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services (IRIS) have unveiled the Immigration Response Playbook. This new online resource is designed to equip state and local leaders with practical tools and strategies for addressing the challenges posed by these enforcement actions.
The Immigration Response Playbook consolidates policy examples, legal frameworks, and other essential tools from various jurisdictions across the country. Its aim is to help communities navigate their options and make informed decisions in real time.
Both AIC and IRIS have consistently heard from municipal and state partners about the urgent need for guidance. Many leaders express a desire to protect their communities but often lack knowledge about what actions have been taken elsewhere or what legal authority they possess. This playbook serves as a centralized resource, bringing together critical information to support decision-making.
“The Trump administration is maximizing fear and confusion to intimidate our communities, inflicting a new level of cruelty with its lawless actions,” said William Tong, the Connecticut Attorney General. “I thank IRIS and the AIC for compiling this comprehensive playbook of strategies and policy tools to strengthen local and state protections against federal overreach. The Office of the Attorney General will continue to work closely with IRIS and community partners to respect, honor, and protect immigrants and immigrant families.”
The collaboration between AIC and IRIS leverages IRIS’s extensive experience in immigrant and refugee services, developed over more than 40 years in Connecticut, alongside AIC’s depth in policy research and its established relationships across state and local programs. This partnership ensures that the playbook is informed not only by legal analysis but also by the real-world experiences of those actively engaged in this work.
“Local and state leaders are facing urgent questions as federal immigration enforcement actions create fear or confusion in their communities. This playbook brings together practical tools, legal frameworks, and examples from across the country so that local leaders can make informed decisions grounded in what their community needs,” said Rich André, AIC Director of State and Local Initiatives.
The Immigration Response Playbook includes:
– Real-world policy examples from cities and states that have navigated enforcement actions, community protection measures, and related legal questions.
– Legal frameworks and implementation tools, drawn from AIC’s policy research and updated as federal enforcement priorities shift.
– Links to existing IRIS and AIC resources, including IRIS’s New Americans platform and AIC’s research and analysis.
– Regular updates reflecting emerging trends, new jurisdictional examples, and evolving legal guidance.
“State and local leaders have been reaching out to us asking what they can do to protect their communities. Our research led us to AIC. Like us, they know that these leaders do better when they can learn from one another. This playbook puts that idea into action, both policy expertise and field-tested practice in a regularly updated, efficient, searchable knowledge hub,” said Maggie Mitchell Salem, IRIS Executive Director.
The Immigration Response Playbook is now available at playbook.irisct.org and will be continuously updated to reflect the latest developments.
About IRIS: Integrated Refugee & Immigrant Services welcomes refugees and other immigrants, helping them rebuild their lives, pursue their dreams, and contribute to the vitality of their communities. Founded in 1982, IRIS promotes economic mobility, legal stability, language equity, and civic engagement through its New Americans platform. Learn more at irisct.org.
About the American Immigration Council: The American Immigration Council works to create a more welcoming and fair immigration system. Through litigation, research, and programs that expand access to legal assistance, the Council ensures that immigrants are embraced, communities are enriched, and justice prevails for all. Follow the Council on BlueSky @immcouncil.org and Instagram @immcouncil.
For media inquiries, contact:
IRIS: Maggie Mitchell Salem, msalem@irisct.org
American Immigration Council: Elyssa Pachico, epachico@immcouncil.org
According to American Immigration Council.