Your Rights If ICE Contacts You

1. Your fundamental rights

These rights apply in any setting: at home, at work, on the street, or if you are detained.

Fourth Amendment — Protection against unlawful searches

ICE cannot enter your home without a judicial warrant signed by a federal judge. An "administrative warrant" from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is not enough. Ask them to slide it under the door, and check that it bears a judge’s signature and the seal of a federal court.

Fifth Amendment — The right to remain silent

You do not have to answer questions about where you were born, how you entered the country, how long you have been here, or your immigration status. This right does not expire, and you can exercise it at any time.

The right to an attorney

If you are detained, you have the right to contact an attorney. Insist on this right immediately, and repeat it as many times as necessary. Memorize your immigration attorney’s phone number — don’t keep it only in your phone.

The right not to sign anything

Never sign documents under pressure. Some forms, such as Form I-274A, mean agreeing to a fast-track voluntary departure, which closes off legal options that may be available to you.

2. If ICE comes to your home

Your home has the strongest legal protection. An agent without a judicial warrant signed by a judge has no right to enter. This is the situation in which the most people make mistakes out of fear or confusion. Keep the door closed and speak through it.

3. If you are pulled over in your car

A traffic stop combines traffic rules with immigration rights. As the driver, in most states you are required to show your license, registration, and proof of insurance — but you are never required to answer questions about your status or your passengers’ status.

1. 01

   Pull over safely

   Turn on your hazard lights and slow down calmly. Keep your hands on the steering wheel until the officer tells you otherwise.

2. 02

   Ask which agency is stopping you

   You have the right to ask whether they are local police, ICE, or CBP. The answer may affect your rights in that situation.

3. 03

   If you are a passenger, you have more protection

   Passengers have the full right to remain silent. Ask: "Am I free to go?" If they say yes, calmly walk away. If not, say: "I am exercising my right to remain silent."

4. 04

   Do not consent to a search of the vehicle

   Say clearly: "I do not consent to a search of the vehicle." If they search it anyway, do not physically resist, but repeat out loud that you do not consent.

4. If ICE comes to your workplace

Workplace raids have increased. ICE can freely enter the public areas of a business, but it needs a judicial warrant to enter private areas such as warehouses, offices, or locker rooms.

An important point: your employer cannot give up your rights on your behalf. Consent has to come from you. If you are in a union, notify your union representative right away.

5. If you are stopped on the street

In public you have less protection than in your home, but you still have important rights. The most important thing is to stay calm and avoid hasty decisions.

1. 01

   Do not run. Stay calm.

   Running can lead to additional criminal charges and seriously complicate your immigration case. Cooperate on the basics — with no physical resistance — without giving up your rights.

2. 02

   Ask whether you are being detained or are free to go

   "Am I under arrest, or am I free to go?" If they say you are free to go, calmly walk away. If they hold you, move on to the next step.

3. 03

   Exercise your right to remain silent

   "I am exercising my right to remain silent, and I want to speak with an attorney." Do not answer questions about where you are from, how long you have been in the country, or how you entered.

4. 04

   Do not sign anything at all

   Some documents presented under pressure can result in a fast-track deportation with no right to a hearing before a judge. Always consult your attorney before signing.

5. 05

   Insist on your phone call

   You have the right to make at least one call. Call your immigration attorney or a family member who knows how to reach them.

6. 06

   Document everything you can

   Memorize or write down the agents’ names, their badge numbers, the time, and the place. Write it all down as soon as you have the chance — these details are crucial for your defense.

6. ICE tactics you should know

Knowing about these practices can help you stay calm and avoid mistakes that could hurt your case:

1. —

   They identify themselves only as "police" or "the authorities"

   You have the right to ask specifically whether they are ICE, CBP, or another federal immigration agency.

2. —

   They say they "just want to ask a few questions"

   Once you start answering voluntarily, they can use your words against you. The right to remain silent applies at all times, even in informal conversations.

3. —

   They claim that signing is "just a formality"

   There is no such thing as a document "without consequences" in an immigration case. Always ask for your attorney to review any paper before you sign it.

4. —

   They pressure you by saying "it will be worse if you don’t cooperate"

   This is a pressure tactic. Stay calm and repeat: "I want to speak with my attorney." Exercising your rights is not obstructing the authorities.

5. —

   They operate very early in the morning

   Raids frequently happen between 4 and 6 AM, when people are asleep and less alert. Preparing ahead of time is far more effective than reacting under pressure.

7. Family emergency plan

Preparation is your strongest defense. These concrete steps can make an enormous difference if something happens — and they cost much less when taken calmly, not in a crisis.

• 01Memorize your immigration attorney’s phone number. Keep it on paper too, not only in your phone.
• 02Designate an emergency guardian for your minor children through a notarized power of attorney.
• 03Keep copies of important documents — passport, visa, birth certificates — in a safe place and with a trusted family member.
• 04Practice with your family what to do if agents arrive: don’t open the door, speak through it, call the attorney.
• 05Make a list of emergency numbers: your attorney, a family member, and local immigrant rights organizations.
• 06Talk with an attorney about whether you qualify for any immigration protection, change of status, or visa. Act before any situation arises.

8. Phrases you should memorize

Save these phrases in your phone or on a piece of paper in your wallet. In a stressful moment, having them written down can make all the difference.