A coffee shop in Denton is telling illegal aliens how to avoid deportation, The Dallas Express has uncovered.
Avoca Coffee Roasters in Denton, which often attracts local college students and remote workers, has posted materials coaching illegal aliens on what to do if immigration agents approach them.
The Dallas Express took photos of the posters, titled “Immigration Agents in Public – Prepare” and “Immigration Agents in Public – Defend.”
Avoca posted the notices, from the left-leaning group United We Dream, in both English and Spanish under an advertisement for “queer” Dungeons and Dragons.
One of the posters provides four strategies to illegal aliens on how to “prepare” for ICE, including “create a preparedness plan” to keep in a secret folder,” and “avoid carrying a passport or foreign ID.”
The other poster coaches illegal aliens on eight strategies to “defend” against ICE, including “not sign anything or consent to searches,” and “do not agree to follow them anywhere.”
The Dallas Express called Avoca in Denton, and an employee confirmed the shop’s manager put the posters up. The reporter contacted the manager directly but did not receive a response in time for publication.
The Dallas Express also reached out to Avoca’s main office but did not hear back.
The posters instruct illegal aliens to text “Know Your Power” to 787- 57. The Dallas Express texted the number, and someone from UWD’s “deportation defense team” responded with an automated message, linking to the group’s “Know Your Rights” webpage.
“While asserting your rights does not guarantee the stop of an arrest at the moment, it is important to exercise our rights to facilitate our defense,” the webpage reads. “Our movement is ready to support you, fight for your freedom, and reclaim the humanity of our community.”
United We Dream made similar graphics for one of the nation’s most powerful teachers unions, the American Federation of Teachers, as The Federalist reported.
The group also offered an app, “Notifica,” with a help button for illegal aliens to “notify their deportation defense network.” But United We Dream discontinued this in February, as the group said it was not sure communications with the “defense network” could “stay protected.”
Illegal aliens have been using similar apps to evade ICE, as The Dallas Express previously reported. Activists used an app called ICE Block to report federal agents at a Home Depot in North Dallas last week, raising concerns about safety for authorities.