What to do if ICE comes to your home, workplace or public space

ON April 10, 2017, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) released a “Know Your Rights Handouts” available in English, Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, and Portuguese to inform the public about the rights of undocumented immigrants who may come into contact with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during home visits, workplace raids and public stops.  Below is a re-print of AILA’s Know Your Rights Handouts.

All people living in the United States, including undocumented immigrants, have certain U.S. Constitutional rights.  If you are undocumented and immigration  and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents knock on your door,  come to your work  place,  or stop you on the street or in a public place, know that you have the following rights:

If ICE visits your home

• You do not have to open the door. You do not have to open the door or let the officers into your home unless they have a valid search warrant signed by a judge.

• An ICE deportation warrant is not the same as a search warrant. If this is the only document they have, they cannot legally come inside unless you verbally agree to let them in.

• If the officers say they have a search warrant signed by a judge, ask them to slide it under the door or hold it up to a window so you can see it.

• If the warrant does not have your correct name and address on it and is not signed by a judge you do not have to open the door or let them inside.

• If at any point you decide to speak with the officers, you do not need to open the door to do so. You can speak to them through the door or step outside and close the door.

• You have the right to remain silent. You do not need to speak to the immigration officers or answer any questions.

• If you are asked where you were born or how you entered the United States, you may refuse to answer or remain silent.

• If you choose to remain silent, say so out loud.

• You may show a  know-your-rights card   to the officer that explains that you will remain silent and wish to speak to a lawyer 

• You may refuse to show identity documents that say what country you are from.

• Do not show any false documents and do not  lie.

• You have the right to speak to a lawyer.  If you are detained or taken into custody, you have the right to immediately contact a lawyer.

• Even if you do not have a lawyer, you may tell the immigration officers that you want to speak to a lawyer.

• If you have a lawyer, you have the right to talk to them.