If ICE & CBP Are In Your Area:
Don’t Be Afraid.
Know Your Rights.
Make A Plan.
Work Together As A Community.
U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may be operating in your area.
And we know: Their presence can be scary.
But we want you to know that whether or not you are a U.S. citizen, you have rights, and you are not alone.
This website is dedicated to ensuring that you have the resources you need to know your rights and to protect yourself, your loved ones, and your community. Share this with your family and friends.
Site Contents
Basic Information
Resources & More
Local Resources
More coming soon.
Know Your Rights
Whether you’re a U.S. Citizen, legal immigrant, or illegal immigrant, YOU HAVE RIGHTS.
Even if you are undocumented, you have constitutional rights.
Regardless of a person’s immigration status, everyone is granted certain rights and protections under the U.S. Constitution. These rights include, but are not limited to:
The right to due process
The right to legal representation
The right against unreasonable search and seizure
The right to not be arrested or detained without a valid reason
The right to record interactions with law enforcement
If you are stopped by a police officer or immigration officer:
You have the right to remain silent. If you wish to exercise that right, say so out loud: “I am exercising my right to remain silent.” In some states, the law does not require you to provide your name or other identifying information to police; however, depending on the circumstances, refusing to identify yourself to the police could result in being charged with resisting, delaying, or obstructing law enforcement in the performance of their duties. Where applicable: If a police officer insists on knowing your name or other identifying information, you can politely point out that state law doesn't require you to provide this information and ask why they are requesting this information. Depending on how they respond, you may then decide whether to provide the requested information. But even if you give your name, you don’t have to answer other questions.
You do not have to consent to a search of yourself or your belongings. However, police may pat down your clothing if they suspect a weapon.
If you are arrested by police, you have the right to a government-appointed lawyer.
If you are detained by ICE, you have the right to consult with a lawyer, but the government is not required to provide one for you. You can ask for a list of free or low-cost alternatives.
You do not have to answer questions about where you were born, whether you are a U.S. citizen, or how you entered the country. However, separate rules apply at international borders and airports, and for individuals on certain non-immigrant visas, including tourists and business travelers.
If police or immigration officers are at your door:
Communicate through the window or door and ask for identification.
Officers can only enter with a valid warrant or with your permission. A court order must be:
Signed by a judge, justice of the peace, or magistrate.
Declare that the address is registered.
Declare that they describe the area to be searched.
Without a valid warrant or without your permission, officers may not enter your property. You have the right to refuse entry unless a valid warrant is presented.
An administrative warrant is NOT the same as a judicial warrant.
A judicial warrant is signed by a federal court judge/magistrate or state court judge/magistrate. It authorizes enforcement officers to make an arrest, seizure, or search, and it must be complied with if it is a valid judicial warrant.
An administrative warrant – which is more often used by DHS, ICE, CBP, and USCIS – is instead issued by a federal agency and signed by an immigration judge or immigration officer. Unlike a judicial warrant, it does not authorize a search.
Have a Plan
Do not wait to make an action plan.
Memorize your rights and be prepared to exercise them if needed. Carry a “Know Your Rights” wallet insert if necessary.
Ensure that your family and friends know their rights.
Make sure that your family and friends know where you are at all times.
Make sure that you know where your family and friends are at all times.
Learn how to use the SOS service on your phone in the event of an emergency.
Know who your emergency contact(s) are, and memorize their contact details. Do not rely on having access to your phone for contact information.
Carry a copy of key paperwork that can be used to prove your citizenship or immigration status.
Ensure that your family retains a copy of documentation that can be used to prove your citizenship or immigration status.
Provide your child’s school or daycare with an emergency contact who will be able to pick up your child(ren).
Provide written authentication for your emergency contact(s) to make medical and legal decisions for your child(ren).
Ensure that your family and friends know to check the ICE online detainee locator if they suspect that you have been detained.
If you or a loved one is detained, consult a trusted attorney for legal assistance. Your local ACLU affiliate and other local groups may be willing to help.
What To Do
Carry a whistle. Know your whistles.
Whistles are being used to alert communities about the presence of ICE & CBP activity. Where possible, carry a whistle and know how to signal others about ICE activity:
Three short whistles (“tweet-tweet-tweet”): ICE is nearby. Use caution.
Three long blasts (“tweeeeeet. tweeeeeet. tweeeeeet.”): An ICE operation is active/someone is being detained or harassed.
No whistle? Make noise. Do what you can to alert others to ICE presence and activity.
In the event of ICE or CBP activity in your area:
If you are an undocumented immigrant:
If you are outdoors, move quickly to a safe, indoor place.
If you are indoors, remain indoors.
Do not run, flee, or otherwise draw undue attention to yourself.
Ask community members for help if needed.
Exercise your rights.
If you are a U.S. citizen & feel safe to do so:
Do NOT obstruct or otherwise interfere with ICE or CBP agents.
Do NOT put yourself in harm’s way.
Record any activity on your phone or write down what you witness.
If someone is being detained: Try to get their name and date of birth. Relay this information when you report the incident.
Where possible, work together with other community members, not solo: use strength in numbers.
Use whistles to alert other members of the community about ICE activity.
Three short bursts: ICE presence in area.
Three long bursts: Confirmed ICE activity.
Report incidents on ICE tracker/incident reporting sites and to your local community groups.
Exercise your rights.
If you own and operate a local business:
Sources & Additional Information
Please check out these trustworthy sources for additional information:
Other Resources
ICE Tracker & Activity Maps
ICE Detainee Locator