Protect Yourself and Your Communities: Know Your Rights!
We all have rights!
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 when interacting with law enforcement. The information below can help you explain your rights in different situations. However, it is not legal advice. For specific advice on your situation, consult an immigration attorney. You can find an immigration attorney here.
What can I do if ICE or the police are at my door?
Keep your door closed. Immigration officers and the police can’t come into your home without a signed judicial warrant. Ask what agency they are with and to see identification. They can hold it up to a window or peephole.
Ask to see a warrant. If officers say they have a warrant, ask them to slide it under your door or hold it up to a window.
Don’t be fooled. Immigration agents may say they are police or use another pretext to get inside. Do not open the door without seeing a signed judicial warrant.
Remain silent. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can be used against you. Do not answer questions about your immigration status or national orgiin.
Stay calm and document what’s happening. If you are able to safely do so, use your phone to document what is happening - or ask someone else to.
If you are detained, 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. Ask officers to identify themselves and ask why you are being stopped.
Remain silent. If asked, s give your name. You have the right to remain silent about everything else. Anything you say can be used against you. Do not answer questions about your immigration status or national origin.
Show only necessary documents. Do not show false documents.
Stay calm and document what’s happening. If you are able to safely do so, use your phone to document what is happening - or ask someone else to.
Refuse a search. You have the right to refuse a search of your car unless the officers have a signed warrant. You have the 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.
If you are detained, 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. Do not answer questions about your immigration status or national origin.
Stay calm and document what’s happening. If you are able to safely do so, use your phone to document what is happening - or ask someone else to.
Ask “Am I free to go?” If they answer yes, calmly walk away. If they answer no, you can say “I am using my right to remain silent” and then stay silent.
If you are detained, 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 immigration agents come to my workplace?
Stay calm. Stay calm and don’t run.
Remain silent. You have the right to remain silent and to refuse to answer questions. Do not answer questions about your immigration status or national origin. Do not provide information about other workers’ immigration status or national origin.
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. A private area of a business is a space that is not open to the public and is not typically accessible to customers. This could include any space marked “employees only” or a private office. ICE would need permission or a signed judicial warrant to enter a private area of the workplace.
If you are detained, 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 to an attorney.
Keep important phone numbers with you. Keep the phone number of your union and legal services provider with you.
For employers: If 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).
For more information about what to do if immigration comes to your business, consult the National Immigration Law Center’s resource guide for employers.
What can I do if I am detained by immigration officials?
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.