Scaffa
Society

scaffa /ˈskaf.fa/
noun a drink built, mixed, & served at room temperature: no chill, no dilution, & no ICE.
We are an industry collective supporting neighbors impacted by accelerated ICE deployment. We aim to spark productive conversation and responsible action.

We’ve aggregated helpful guides and checklists plus links to legal advice and reputable groups that are working hard to support individuals affected. You’ll also find Scaffa inspiration here.

We don’t use AI, tracking, or cookies, but are beholden to the policies of our hosting platform, Cargo.
Important: This a guide. This is not legal advice. It is not tailored to your situation. Talk to an immigration lawyer for advice in your case.

REPORT A RAID

OWNERS & OPERATORS
(all other employees, please scroll down)
  • Treat a potential ICE audit similarly to a DOH inspection
  • Create a button in the POS. It should print, “IMMIGRATION ON SITE” to service & BOH printers in all relevant languages for your team.
  • Create neighborhood alert groupchat for ICE sightings. Communicate responsible & productive reporting standards to all members. (Signal & Whatsapp are good platforms for anonymity)
  • Have a copy of your plan sent to all employees, and posted in employee-only areas in any necessary languages.
  • Make sure private areas are clearly marked “Private” or “Employees Only”
  • Post KYR guides in all necessary languages 

Discuss with all employees:

Hold meetings with individual employees:
  • Inform individual employees about alternative exits from the premises
  • If you’re willing to help post-detainment, express your intention and request individual employees’ full legal name, A-Number, or DOB & birth country.
  • Keep a copy of this info somewhere safe & off-prem
  • Alternatively, request their best emergency contact to direct to the Online Detainee Locator System

To locate someone in ICE detention, you need their full legal name as it appears on government or immigration documents and either their 9-digit Alien Registration Number ("A-Number") or their correct DOB & country of birth.

PERMANENT RESIDENT EMPLOYEES should carry originals and store on site digital & paper copies of their Lawful Permanent Resident card/Green Card (if expired, they should carry a passport with I-551 stamp) and Proof of Residency (recent tax returns, lease agreements, or utility bills)

ALL OTHER EMPLOYEES
  1. Do not engage beyond basic politeness
  2. Say: “I’m not authorized to speak for the restaurant”
  3. Ask agents to remain in a public area while you contact the owner/manager: “Please wait here while I call the manager”
  4. Do not encourage anyone to flee
  5. Call your managers. If no answer, text: “ICE is here. Call back urgently”
  6. Do not share employee schedules or coworker information (a good standard in any scenario)