Know Your Rights: Immigration

Your Rights in the United States

Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) is meant to preserve American security and public safety, mainly within U.S. borders, by enforcing immigration laws. ICE is responsible for detaining, deporting, and convicting unauthorized immigrants.

ICE has been weaponized in local communities, conducting raids that have swept up both immigrants (whether here lawfully or not) and American citizens. As more raids are expected across the country, it's important to know your rights and protect yourself.

If you're stopped by ICE, here are a couple of points to remember:

• Remain calm and do not run away.
• If arrested, you have the right to speak with a lawyer.
• Do not sign anything without the advice of an attorney.
• You have the right to record any interaction with ICE as long as you are not interfering with an arrest
• If you are a U.S. citizen, you can say "I am a U.S. citizen and you do not have authority to arrest or detain me." If they decide to arrest you anyway, you have grounds for a federal civil rights lawsuit alleging unconstitutional detention or arrest.

View more in our resource below.