Know your rights.

Stand your ground.

Everyone in the United States has constitutional rights — regardless of immigration status.

If you or someone you know encounters Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or other law enforcement officers, knowing your rights can make all the difference. This page provides essential information about your constitutional protections and resources to help you stay safe.

Your Constitutional Rights

1. You have the right to remain silent

This is one of your most powerful rights under the U.S. Constitution. You do not have to answer questions about:

  • Where you were born
  • Your immigration status
  • How you entered the United States
  • Any personal information about yourself or your family

What to say: “I am exercising my right to remain silent. I want to speak to a lawyer.”

Important: Keep repeating this even if officers continue to ask questions. Do not fall for intimidation tactics or tricks.

2. You do not have to open your door

Know-your-rights guidance from major legal groups says: do not open the door unless officers show a judicial warrant signed by a judge.

ICE administrative warrants (such as Form I-200 or Form I-205) are not judicial warrants.

Important update: ICE issued 2025 guidance claiming officers may, in some cases, enter homes with administrative warrants for people with final removal orders. That policy is currently being challenged in court.
Safest approach: do not open the door, do not consent to entry, ask to see paperwork through a window/under the door, and contact a lawyer immediately.

What to do:

  • Do NOT open the door
  • Ask them to slide the warrant under the door or show it through a window
  • Check whether it is signed by a judge (not an ICE officer) and has your correct name/address
  • State clearly: “I do not consent to entry.”

3. You have the right to refuse searches

You do not have to consent to a search of your person, your belongings, your car, or your home. Clearly state:
“I do not consent to this search.”

4. You have the right to a lawyer

If you are arrested or detained, you have the right to seek an immigration attorney or accredited representative.
In immigration court, representation is at no expense to the government (the government usually does not provide a free attorney).

Do NOT sign anything without speaking to a lawyer first. Many ICE documents can waive rights and speed up deportation.

What to say: “I want to speak with my lawyer. I will not sign anything without my lawyer.”

5. Stay calm and do not run

Running can be used against you. Keep your hands visible. Do not argue, resist, or physically fight with officers, even if you believe your rights are being violated.

If an officer stops you, ask: “Am I free to leave?”

  • If yes, calmly walk away
  • If no, stay where you are and remain silent

What To Do in Different Situations

If ICE Comes to Your Home:

  1. Do NOT open the door
  2. Ask to see a warrant through the window or slipped under the door
  3. Ask whether it is signed by a judge and whether your name/address are correct
  4. If they only show an ICE administrative warrant, state: “I do not consent to entry.”
  5. Slide a “Red Card” under the door (see resources below) if available
  6. Call a trusted contact or rapid response hotline immediately

If ICE Stops You in Public:

  1. Stay calm and keep your hands visible
  2. Ask: “Am I free to leave?” If yes, walk away calmly
  3. Do NOT answer questions about your immigration status, birthplace, or entry history
  4. If you are driving, you must show license/registration/insurance when required
  5. In some states, if lawfully stopped, you may have to provide your name
  6. Do NOT run
  7. Say: “I am exercising my right to remain silent”
  8. If you witness ICE activity, you generally have a First Amendment right to record from a safe distance as long as you do not interfere

If ICE Comes to Your Workplace:

ICE generally needs either:

  • a valid warrant, or
  • employer consent to enter non-public areas

They can usually enter public areas (like a lobby) without a warrant.

  1. Stay calm and do not run
  2. Ask if you are free to leave. If yes, walk away calmly
  3. Do NOT answer questions or hand over documents without legal advice
  4. Say: “I am exercising my right to remain silent. I want to speak with a lawyer”
  5. Do NOT sign anything

If You Are Detained:

  1. Say: “I want to speak to a lawyer. I am exercising my right to remain silent.”
  2. Do NOT sign anything without speaking to a lawyer
  3. Give your family your A-Number (9-digit alien registration number) so they can try to locate you
  4. Request a hearing before an immigration judge when applicable; do not accept options like “voluntary departure” without legal advice
  5. Ask to contact your country’s consulate
  6. Assume non-legal phone calls may be monitored/recorded

Important Things to Know

What NOT to Do:

  • Do NOT lie or provide false information
  • Do NOT use false documents (fake IDs, fake Social Security cards, etc.)
  • Do NOT sign forms you do not understand
  • Do NOT answer questions about immigration status without legal advice
  • Do NOT physically resist officers

What TO Do:

  • Carry authentic immigration documents if you have lawful status
  • If you are a noncitizen age 18+, federal law generally requires carrying evidence of registration
  • Keep proof of your U.S. presence (leases, school/medical records, bills, receipts), since expedited-removal policies have shifted repeatedly and documentation can matter
  • Memorize at least one trusted phone number in case your phone is taken
  • Keep a “Red Card” by your door and in your wallet
  • Create a family preparedness plan (below)
  • Know your local rapid response hotline

Family Preparedness Plan

Every family should have a plan in case of an immigration emergency.

1. Emergency Contacts

  • Write down phone numbers for family, trusted friends, your lawyer, and your country’s consulate
  • Make sure family members know your A-Number (if you have one)
  • Memorize at least one trusted phone number

2. Caregiver Authorization

  • Choose a trusted adult who can care for your children if you are detained
  • Complete a Caregiver’s Authorization Affidavit (state-specific; see resources)
  • Make sure this person knows where key documents are stored

3. Important Documents

Keep copies of these in a safe, accessible place:

  • Immigration documents (green card, work permit, receipts, court notices)
  • Birth certificates
  • Proof of time in the U.S. (leases, bills, school records, receipts)
  • Children’s school and medical records
  • Financial documents (bank statements, deeds, car titles)
  • Lawyer and consulate contact information

Pro tip: Keep encrypted digital backups.

4. Know How Your Family Can Find You

If you are detained, your family can use the ICE Online Detainee Locator:

They may need:

  • Your A-Number, OR
  • Full name, country of birth, and date of birth

Take screenshots of locator results; people can be transferred.

Red Cards: Know Your Rights Cards

Red Cards are small cards that explain your rights. You can hand one to an officer or slide one under your door to assert your right to remain silent.

Where to get them:

Tips:

  • Print several copies (door, wallet, car, child backpack)
  • Practice with household members how to use them

Rapid Response Hotlines

If you witness ICE activity or need immediate help, call a trusted hotline and local legal organization.

National / Multi-State Hotlines:

  • United We Dream Migra Watch: (844) 363-1423 or text 877877
  • Immigrant Defense Project Hotline: (212) 725-6422 (national support windows vary)

Regional Examples:

California

  • Los Angeles (CHIRLA): (888) 624-4752
  • San Francisco Bay Area: (415) 200-1548
  • Central Valley: (559) 206-0151
  • Sacramento: (916) 245-6773
  • San Diego: (619) 536-0823 (business hours) / (619) 536-0011 (after-hours)

Illinois

  • Chicago (ICIRR Family Support): (855) 435-7693

New York

  • New York City: (212) 725-6422
  • Long Island: (631) 319-9823

Washington

  • Washington Immigrant Solidarity Network: (844) 724-3737

Find additional/local numbers:

Legal Help & Resources

Find Free or Low-Cost Legal Help

Important: Use licensed attorneys or DOJ-accredited representatives. Be careful of immigration fraud and “notarios.”

Know Your Rights Materials

Family Preparedness Resources

For Those Currently in Detention

Special Protections & Important Information

Schools, Hospitals, and Places of Worship

DHS rescinded prior “sensitive locations / protected areas” limits in 2025 and replaced them with new guidance that does not create the same bright-line protections as before.

Even so, important privacy laws still matter:

  • Schools: FERPA limits sharing of education records in many situations
  • Hospitals/Clinics: HIPAA limits disclosure of protected health information except in specific legal circumstances
  • Faith communities: Many maintain internal sanctuary/safety protocols

Ask your school, health provider, or faith community about their current response protocol.

Expedited Removal

DHS announced broader expedited-removal use in 2025 (including people unable to show two years’ U.S. presence in some situations).
Federal courts later blocked major parts of that expansion, and litigation is ongoing. Policies can change quickly.

Practical takeaway: Keep documentation showing your identity and length of U.S. presence, and seek legal advice immediately if detained.

287(g) Agreements

Under section 287(g), ICE can delegate certain immigration-enforcement functions to local agencies.
As of Feb. 5, 2026, ICE reports 1,381 signed MOAs across 40 states (counts change frequently).

Your rights still apply: You have the right to remain silent and to seek legal counsel.

What to Do if You Witness ICE Activity

If you see ICE operations in your community:

  1. Call your local rapid response hotline
  2. Do NOT interfere physically
  3. Record from a safe distance if possible
  4. Write down key details:
    • Location, date, and time
    • Number of officers and vehicles
    • Agency names and visible badge/ID details
    • Witness contact information
  5. Share information with trusted legal/community organizations

Final Reminders

You have rights. Use them.

  • Remain silent
  • Do not consent to searches
  • Do not open the door unless required by a valid judicial warrant
  • Do not sign anything without legal advice
  • Stay calm
  • Know your local rapid response hotline

No matter your immigration status, you deserve dignity, safety, and due process.

This information is for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. For advice about a specific case, consult a licensed immigration attorney or accredited representative.

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