Know your rights

Your Legal Protections

Know Your Rights

Understanding your legal rights is essential for protecting yourself and your family in immigration, employment, housing, and education.

Your Legal Protections

Understanding Your Rights

24-Hour Family Support Hotline

If you believe you are witnessing ICE activity, please call ICIRR's 24-Hour Family Support Hotline:

1-855-HELP-MY-FAMILY (1-855-435-7693)

If You Find Yourself Interacting with an ICE Officer

Remember these important rights:

You Have the Right to:

  • Remain silent when questioned by immigration officers
  • Stay calm and keep your hands visible
  • Speak with an attorney before answering questions
  • Request an interpreter
  • Refuse to sign documents

You Are NOT Required to:

  • Discuss immigration or citizenship status
  • Answer questions about where you were born
  • Sign any documents
  • Open your phone or computer
  • Consent to searches without a warrant

If an Officer Knocks on Your Door at Home

  • You have the right NOT to open the door
  • ICE officers must have a warrant signed by a judge to enter your home
  • ICE "warrants" are NOT signed by judges - they are ICE forms that do not grant authority to enter without consent
  • You can ask to see the warrant under the door before opening it
  • You can state: "I do not consent to a search of my home"
Family in home with window light

If You Are Outdoors

You Can:

  • Move to a safe indoor space
  • Record the activity with your phone (if safe to do so)
  • Write down information about what you witness
  • Call a lawyer or HSGA for legal advice

Do NOT:

  • Post unverified information on social media
  • Interfere with the investigation
  • Put yourself in harm's way
  • Approach officers directly
People outdoors in park

Establish a Family Safety Plan

If ICE arrests you, key parts of a safety plan include:

Identify your emergency contacts and memorize their phone numbers

Provide your child's school or daycare with an emergency contact to pick up your child

Provide authorization in writing for your emergency contact to make medical and legal decisions for your child

Tell your loved ones about the ICE online detainee locator: locator.ice.gov

Carry your valid immigration documents or copies of documents showing you've been in the US for at least two years

If detained, seek legal representation immediately by calling 1-855-435-7693

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Know Your Rights — Info Guide

Immigration, employment, housing & education rights explained clearly.

Don't Face This Alone

Contact our legal support team today to get the help you deserve and understand your rights fully.