Encounters with ICE and law enforcement

Esta página aparecerá en Español muy pronto. ¡Gracias por su paciencia!
This page will soon appear in Spanish.  Thanks for your patience!

Our Rights:

It is important that we remember…
It is our right to remain silent and only give our correct name if asked and that it
It is our right to not sign any documents or answer any questions unless our attorney is present.

If you are at home and ICE/Police show up:

Do not let any immigration official or public officer into your home/house/apartment without a warrant
If they don’t have one, they need your verbal authorization in order to go inside.

If they have a warrant, ask them to put it under the door and only open if:

The person ICE is looking for is currently in the house
The address on the warrant is the correct and it is the current address of the person they are looking for
The warrant has been signed by a judge no more than 10 days from the day they show up at your home

Don’t open the door if the agents do not have a warrant or if it does not meet these requirements.

If immigration officials or police officers enter without proper authorization, ask for their names and/or write down their badge numbers. Obtain the names and phone numbers of any witnesses.
Do remember that you have the right to remain silent and only give them your name and don’t sign anything without an attorney present

If you are pulled over by police:

Don’t answer any questions about your status. You do not have to discuss your citizenship or immigration status with the police.
Only the driver is required to show identification.
Don’t show false documentation to anyone and do not carry false documents with you.

If there’s a raid at your workplace:

Don’t try to run away. If you do so, immigration/police may use that against you. Try to remain calm.
Don’t answer any questions regarding your birthplace and your legal status, unless your lawyer is present.
Do not lie about your name. If you lie about your name, your relatives, and/or attorney will have a difficult time trying to find you.

If you are arrested by local law enforcement:

You have the right to remain silent and only give your name
You have the right to make a phone call
You have the right to speak to a lawyer
You have the right to not sign anything, unless your lawyer is present and you understand fully what you are signing. Know that a local jail should never hold you just for immigration enforcement or ICE, and if you are held call this hotline — 415-621-2488

If you are being held by ICE:

You have the right to hire an attorney, unfortunately you do not have the right to an attorney provided by the court free of charge.
Do not answer any questions regarding your birthplace and your legal status, unless your lawyer is present.
Do not lie about your name. If you lie about your name, your relatives, and/or attorney will have a difficult time trying to find you.
Do not sign any documents you do not understand without your attorney present.

Being Prepared:

We want to encourage everyone to know/memorize the telephone number for your lawyer or for organizations that can help you.
Give written authorization to a person who will take care of your children in case you are detained. Make sure it is signed by a US public notary.
Contact your children’s schools and give permission for someone you trust other people to pick your children up in case you are detained.
Give copies of all your documents to a family member you trust. Tell this person where you keep your important documents such as birth certificates, marriage licenses and passports.