Editor’s Note: The Tribuno del People remains committed to informing our audience on immigration issues, including how to protect themselves and their neighbors against ICE. Knowing how to protect ourselves is how we fight back and disrupt Trump’s agenda. The following Know Your Rights information was published through the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights (ICIRR). Additional resources and forms like creating a safety plan and how to transfer power of attorney can be found through The Resurrection Project.
In certain states like Illinois, the state police forces such as police officers, sheriffs, and state police do not have the authority to make ICE arrests, so it is important that our readers inform themselves on their state policies concerning ICE.
If you believe you are witnessing ICE activity, please call ICIRR’s 24-Hour Family Support Hotline at 1-855-HELP-MY-FAMILY (1-855-435-7693) to report it.
- If you find yourself interacting with an ICE officer in any location including your workplace, or out in the community, remember that you:
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- Have the right to remain silent when questioned or arrested by immigration officers
- Should remain calm and keep your hands where the officer can see them
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- DO NOT:
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- Discuss your immigration or citizenship status with the police, immigration agents, or other officials
- Sign anything you do not understand. You should state that you wish to speak with an attorney
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- If an officer knocks on your door at home: Do NOT open the door. Teach your children 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 signed by ICE officers and they do not grant authority to enter your home without your consent
- If you are outdoors and think you see immigration officers nearby:
- Move to a safe indoor space
- If you are a U.S. citizen and feel safe to do so, record the activity with your phone or write down any relevant information about what you witness— ALWAYS being careful to not interfere or otherwise obstruct the operation
- DO NOT:
- Post unverified information on social media
- Interfere with the investigation or otherwise put yourself in harm’s way
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- Establish a safety plan that your family can use if ICE arrests you. Key parts of a safety plan include:
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- 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 that if you are detained by ICE, they can try to use ICE’s online detainee locator to find you: locator.ice.gov
- If you are detained, it is important that you seek legal representation. Call 1-855-435-7693 to connect with an immigration attorney.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS WHEN INTERACTING WITH IMMIGRATION OFFICERS (ICE)
Additional Resources
National Immigrant Justice Center’s Legal Deportation Assistance
immigrantjustice.org
Organized Communities Against Deportations’ Resource Guide
organizedcommunities.org
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