Neighbors giving whistle ‘alert’ kits to protect Tri-City immigrants from ICE
An employee at a market in Pasco pulled out a clear plastic container from behind the store’s register.
In the container, there were small cellophane bags containing two pamphlets and a tiny, round purple whistle. The pamphlets contain information about resources for immigrants and instructions for when to use the whistle — only when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are nearby.
The carniceria is one of at least six locations in the Tri-Cities that are distributing whistles as part of a Washington state movement aimed at alerting community members and deterring ICE activity.
WA Whistles
The community organizing group WA Whistles has a statewide map showing locations of whistle stops, drop-off locations and hubs. So far, there are more than 150 locations in Washington. Most are located in the Seattle and Vancouver areas.
WA Whistles organizes the distribution of whistles, forms local chats through the secure communications app Signal, shares instructions for how to use the whistles and connects people to other resources and opportunities to help the cause.
It’s modeled off of similar activism in Los Angeles, Chicago and Minneapolis.
The group’s webpage says that whistles are a simple, cheap “instant alert system” when there is ICE activity.
The whistles are used to “warn others when ICE in the area, so vulnerable people can get to safety and everyone else can come help.”
WA Whistles created instructions for how to use the whistles and respond with two different codes. One is used if ICE agents are nearby and the other is used if ICE agents attempt to detain someone.
The group coordinates with local community groups to host whistle kit parties and collect whistles to distribute. Then those whistles get dropped off at whistle stops and hubs — businesses, organizations and community centers — where people can pick up whistles or donate new ones.
“Whistles provide a simple tool to signal for help, disrupt potentially harmful situations and increase visibility. The project reinforces the belief that informed, connected communities are safer communities,” said a representative from the Tri-Cities-based grassroots community organizing group Our Voices United.
Six months ago, Our Voices United started a whistle campaign in the Tri-Cities. The group partnered with Indivisible Tri-Cities to buy 5,000 whistles and received support from WA Whistles to begin 3D printing whistles locally. Indivisible Tri-Cities is the local chapter of a larger left-leaning organization.
Now most of the whistles are 3D printed to reduce costs.
“We’ve had a strong response,” the representative told the Tri-City Herald.
“We’ve produced over 10,000 whistles so far with multiple 3D printers assisting, and interest has been steady and consistent as community members seek proactive ways to stay connected and safe. Whistle stops will continue to expand based on community feedback and need.”
Volunteers from Indivisible Tri-Cities seek out and coordinate with businesses to establish local whistle stops and host outreach workshops.
Whistle stops in Tri-Cities
There are at least six Tri-Cities locations with whistles on the WA Whistles map.
At the carniceria store, whistles stay behind the register to prevent customers from misusing the whistles and to protect the business from retaliation.
One of the owners at the carniceria told the Herald that there is a lot of fear and confusion about immigration enforcement in the Tri-Cities community.
“We’re trying to do our best to support our customers and stay calm,” said the owner, who requested anonymity.
The owners have organized meetings with all employees to discuss immigration enforcement, passed out “Know Your Rights” informational cards to customers and met with a lawyer to be prepared if there is ICE activity at or near their two stores.
There has not been any immigration enforcement activity at their stores.
The owner said that in one recent interaction with a customer, she asked how they were doing. The customer burst into tears.
The woman was confused and worried about her children who were born in the U.S., but could be at risk of losing birthright citizenship because of her and her husband’s immigration status.
Currently, children born to parents who are undocumented or have temporary status retain their right to birthright citizenship. President Donald Trump’s birthright citizenship executive order is being challenged in federal court.
Tri-Cities immigrant advocates
More than a year ago, Our Voices United began distributing 20,000 “Know Your Rights” cards in the Tri-Cities area, then expanded to educating businesses about their rights and created a community resource list. Then, their focus shifted to whistles.
“Preparation should not begin after harm occurs,” said the representative from Our Voices United.
“Distributing whistles now is a proactive, nonviolent way to empower people to use their voice, alert neighbors and strengthen community awareness during a time of heightened uncertainty.”
Indivisible Tri-Cities and Our Voices United are partnering to host community whistle packing events, including one on Friday, Jan. 30 at 10 a.m. It’s Indivisible Tri-Cities’ third time inviting the public to create whistle kits.
Upcoming whistle packing events
- Jan. 30 at 10 a.m. - Richland Public Library, 955 Northgate Dr., Richland
- Feb. 27 at 1 p.m. - Richland Public Library
- March 27 at 10 a.m. - Richland Public Library
For additional resources and volunteer opportunities, visit infoourvoicesunite.wixsite.com/home/resources, Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network and Tri-Cities Immigrant Coalition.
This story was originally published January 30, 2026 at 6:15 AM.
