As pop music filled the air and pizza boxes, snacks and drinks sat on tables, a small group of eight cut and folded paper into zines — small, easy-to-distribute booklets offering critical information.

The gathering, hosted by the Nevada Immigrant Coalition at the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada (PLAN) offices in Reno, had a single purpose: to keep local residents informed about what to do when Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are nearby.

"ICE activity has been really high, like in Minnesota, so we just want to make sure our community is prepared, especially now that things have gone the same way in other states," said Alondra Cruz Torres, citizenship specialist for PLAN. 

Even though it was promoted as a zine-making party, the event involved more than just zines. Whistles and resource cards also covered the table, waiting to be included into bright orange bags for distribution.

Inside the zines were explanations of individual rights for immigrants, tips for responding to encounters with ICE and ways to protect others in the community. 

"You have the right to … record in public places or your property," reads a page in the zine. "ICE must have a signed judicial warrant."

The whistles in each bag are meant to alert others to ICE's presence and come with instructions on how to use them effectively.

Participants worked in different stations — some preparing pages, some assembling zines and some packing completed materials into bags. The information was printed in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Tagalog, Arabic and Chinese.

Rita Sloan, with the Catholic Diocese of Reno, was one of the people assembling the zines. She said that in recent months, bishops across the nation have been asking dioceses to show more support for immigrant communities. 

"It's been really great to see how many people are just ready to get out there and not only help our neighbors, but also be so visible about it," Sloan said. 

Maya Delgado, who attended with her sister after seeing the event on social media, said the issue felt personal.

"I am Hispanic, so the issue really hits home because a lot of my community may not fully know or understand what rights they have in the United States. … So it's very important to get that education out," Delgado said.

By the end of the night, a bin was filled to the top with completed bags, ready for distribution at the No Kings protest in Reno the following day.