Protect Yourself and Your Communities: Know Your Rights!

What are my rights as an immigrant?

All people in the United States, regardless of immigration status, have rights under the U.S. Constitution and other laws. Make sure you know your rights if you are interacting with Police or Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. The information below can help you understand what your rights are and what you can do in different situations.

*Not intended as legal advice.

What can I do if ICE or the police are at my door?

  • Keep your door closed. Know that Immigration officers and the police can’t come into your home without a warrant signed by a judge.

  • Ask questions to confirm their identity. If officers are at your door, through a closed door ask for: their identification, contact information, and to see a signed judicial warrant

  • Remain silent. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can be used against you

  • Stay calm and document what’s happening. Use your phone to take photos and notes about the raid, but stay calm.

  • Ask to speak to your attorney and do not sign anything. Do not sign forms you don't understand or don’t want to sign. A lawyer who knows deportation defense may be able to help you fight your case.

What can I do if ICE or the Police stop me while I’m driving? 

  • Put your turn signal on and safely pull over to the side of the road. It’s important to pull over, but ask officers pulling you over to identify themselves and ask why you are being stopped

  • Remain silent. Show the officers your drivers’ license. If asked, show your car registration and proof of insurance. But you still have the right to remain silent about everything else. Anything you say can be used against you.

  • Stay calm and document what’s happening. Use your phone to take photos and notes about the stop, but stay calm.

  • Refuse a search. You have the right to refuse to give your consent for a search of your car unless the officers have a signed warrant. You  have a right to refuse a search of yourself and your pockets beyond a pat down for “officer safety”. Vehicle passengers have the right to refuse to give an ID.

  • Ask to speak to your attorney and do not sign anything. Do not sign forms you don't understand or don’t want to sign. You have the right to speak with an attorney.

What can I do if ICE or the police stop me outdoors?

  • Remain silent. If asked, you should give your name. But you still have the right to remain silent about everything else. Anything you say can be used against you.

  • Stay calm and document what’s happening. Use your phone to take photos and notes about the stop, but stay calm.

  • Ask “Am I free to go?” If they answer yes, you can say “I do not want to answer questions” and then calmly walk away. If they answer no, you can say “I do not want to answer any questions, I want to speak to a lawyer”, then try and remain silent.

  • Ask to speak to your attorney and do not sign anything. Do not sign forms you don't understand or don’t want to sign. You have the right to speak with an attorney.

What can I do if there is an ICE raid at my workplace?

  • Stay calm. Stay calm and don’t run. Running may be seen as an admission of guilt.

  • Remain silent. You have the constitutional right to remain silent and to refuse to answer questions.

    • When ICE shows you an administrative warrant with an employee’s name on it:

      • You do NOT have to say if that employee is working on that day or not.

      • You do NOT have to take the ICE agents to the employee named on the warrant (even if they are at work at the time).

  • Don’t interfere with ICE agents. Interfering with ICE agents during a workplace raid may expose you to criminal charges.

  • Go to a private area. Anyone – including ICE agents – can enter public areas of your business without permission. Public areas include a dining area in a restaurant; parking lot; lobby or waiting area. Being in a public area does not give ICE the authority to stop, question, or arrest just anyone. No one can enter a private area of your business without permission or a judicial warrant.

  • Ask to speak to your attorney and do not sign anything. Think twice before signing anything without talking to a lawyer. Signing a paper may end up being an agreement to voluntarily leave the United States. Consulting with a lawyer before signing anything is the best way to protect your rights.

  • Keep important phone numbers with you. Keep the phone number of your union and legal services provider with you.

What can I do if I am arrested by ICE?

  • Remain silent. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can be used against you

  • Ask to speak to your attorney and do not sign anything. Do not sign forms you don't understand or don’t want to sign. You have the right to speak with an attorney.