Know Your Rights

Regardless of your immigration status, you have guaranteed rights under the Constitution.

  • If encountered, it is best to stay calm, don’t argue, resist, run, or obstruct the officer.

  • You have the right to remain silent and do not have to discuss your immigration or citizenship status with police, immigration agents or other officials.

  • DO NOT CLAIM TO BE A US CITIZEN IF YOU ARE NOT ONE

  • DO NOT SHOW FALSE OR FAKE DOCUMENTS

  • DO NOT carry any foreign identification on your person

  • Do carry USCIS receipts, employment authorization cards, or lawful permanent residence cards as proof of status.

What to do if…

    • Ask if they are immigration agents and what they are there for.

    • Ask the agent or officer to show you a badge or identification through the window or peephole.

    • Ask if they have a warrant signed by a judge. If they say they do, ask them to slide it under the door or hold it up to a window so you can inspect it.

    • Don’t lie or produce any false documents. Don’t sign anything without speaking with a lawyer first.

    • Do not open your door unless ICE shows you a judicial search or arrest warrant naming a person in your residence and/or areas to be searched at your address. If they don’t produce a warrant, keep the door closed. State: “I do not consent to your entry.”

    • If agents force their way in, do not resist. If you wish to exercise your rights, state: “I do not consent to your entry or to your search of these premises. I am exercising my right to remain silent. I wish to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.”

    • If you are on probation with a search condition, law enforcement is allowed to enter your home.

    • Say: “I do not consent to you being in my home. Please leave.”

    • If they start to search the home: “I do not consent to your search.”

    • Do not lie or share where a loved one is

      • Do not give out their phone number. – Ask for ICE to leave contact information.

    • Do not give documents (passports, consular IDs)

    • Do not interrupt an arrest. – Tell ICE if you or your loved one has medical issues or needs childcare.

    • Write down or record what happened. It could help the case

    • Immigration Agents cannot legally stop you if you are not within 100 miles from the border

    • Stop your vehicle in a safe place as soon as possible. Stay in your car, turn on your hazard lights, interior lights if its dark, open the window partially, and place your hands on the wheel.

    • Show your license, registration, and insurance if you have them.

      • Do not show false documents

      • Do not carry foreign identification with you

    • The driver, along with the passengers, has the right to remain silent.

    • The police cannot search your car without a warrant

    • Do not consent to the police searching the vehicle

    • If you have documents that show your right to be in the United States, always keep them with you and show the officer.

    • Failure to show those documents could result in your arrest

    • Remain silent – if you choose to speak, remember to not lie.

    • Show your valid documentation or copy of your pending process.

    • Ask for a warrant and check to see if your name is on it and spelled correctly.

    • Do not sign anything.

    • Do not consent to being searched – verbally say, “I do not consent to being searched”.

    • ICE Lies: Do not agree to what ICE asks. For example, do not follow them to their office, to immigration offices like USCIS, or to meet them for coffee.

    • Remain silent – if you choose to speak, remember to not lie.

    • Show your valid documentation or copy of your pending process.

    • Ask for a warrant and check to see if your name is on it and spelled correctly.

    • Do not sign anything.

    • Do not consent to being searched – verbally say, “I do not consent to being searched”.

    • ICE Lies: Do not agree to what ICE asks. For example, do not follow them to their office, to immigration offices like USCIS, or to meet them for coffee.

    • ICE often commits I-9 (legal employee verification) raids during business hours

    • Employers usually receive 72 hours’ notice to provide requested documents

    • ICE is limited by the judicial warrant and cannot extend past that

    • Employers, employees, and patrons have the right to remain silent.

    • Lawful Permanent Resident (green card) holders must always have their card on them.

    • Have a private property outside in a visible location. ICE must have a warrant to enter any private property

    • Document everything

    • Do not resist arrest, say you wish to remain silent

    • Don't say anything, sign anything or make any decisions without legal representation

    • You have the right to make a local phone call.

      • Warning they will listen if you call your attorney or representative

    • Do not sign any document that you do not understand

    • Prepare yourself and your family in case

    • Take action on your emergency plans

How to find loved ones after an ICE arrest

Search the Online Detainee Locator System

Locator.ice.gov

  • Enter the persons A# or USCIS # and Country of Birth

  • If they don't have a A# or USCIS # they can be searched by their biographic data

  • Cannot search for minors under 18.

  • Initial updates are not made until at least 48 hours after the arrest

How to check on your Immigration Court Case

By phone (automated machine)

  • Call 1-800-898-7180

    • You will be asked to select your language and to provide your A#

    • If your A# or USCIS # is not yet in the system it means you have not been given a hearing date and you should call weekly to check on your case

Online

How to check on your USCIS application

Look up the status of your current USCIS case online with your receipt number found on most USCIS notices

https://egov.uscis.gov/

The ConsulApp Contigo:

  • Available on Apple and Android

  • For Mexican nationals only

  • Lets you know of your rights

  • List resources

  • Button for users to alert their emergency contacts and nearest consulate that they’re facing detention.

  • Users can also use the app to schedule an appointment to seek passport services and find the closest Mexican consulate.

Know Your Rights 4 Immigrants:

  • Available on Apple and Android coming soon

  • Multiple languages

  • Lets you know of your rights

  • Legal Directory

  • Prepare Your Family

  • Button for users to alert their emergency contacts that they’re facing detention

  • Resources

Now, more than ever, CLIA needs your help to reach immigrants all over Nebraska!

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