This is general information, not legal advice, and rights and procedures can differ by situation and location. If you can, save the number of a local immigration lawyer or rapid-response network now, before you need it. In an emergency, contact them.
If immigration agents come to your door
- You do not have to open the door. Agents need a warrant signed by a judge to enter your home. An ICE administrative warrant (Form I-200 or I-205) is not enough, and neither is a request.
- Ask them to show the warrant. Ask them to slip it under the door or hold it to a window. A valid judicial warrant is signed by a judge and names your specific address or you by name.
- You can stay silent. You do not have to answer questions through the door, and opening the door is not the same as consenting to a search.
Your rights, whatever your status
- The right to remain silent. You can say, "I wish to remain silent." You do not have to answer questions about where you were born, whether you are a citizen, or how you entered the country.
- The right to a lawyer. You can say, "I want to speak to a lawyer." Do not sign anything you do not understand or that a lawyer has not reviewed, signing can waive your rights or agree to your own deportation.
- The right not to carry or show false documents, and the right not to lie. If you choose not to answer, say so, do not present false papers.
If you are stopped or detained
- Stay calm. Do not run, resist, or obstruct, even if you believe your rights are being violated. Keep your hands visible.
- You can ask, "Am I free to go?" If yes, you can leave calmly. If no, you can say you wish to remain silent and want a lawyer.
- Remember or write down badge numbers, what agencies were present, what was said, and any witnesses. That record matters later.
Your right to record
In public, you generally have the right to film and photograph federal agents carrying out their duties. Keep a safe distance, do not interfere, and if you can, get the footage somewhere safe and consider submitting it to the record through ICE Watch.
Carry a red card
"Red cards," produced by the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, state your rights in a few lines you can hand to an agent instead of speaking. They are free to print in many languages. Search "ILRC red cards" or ask a local rapid-response network.
Know who to call
Many areas have a rapid-response network or hotline that dispatches trained observers and connects people to lawyers. Find yours and save the number. National starting points for accurate rights information include the ACLU, the National Immigration Law Center, and the Immigrant Legal Resource Center.
Sources: ACLU Know Your Rights; National Immigration Law Center; Immigrant Legal Resource Center. This page summarises widely published guidance and is not a substitute for advice from a lawyer.