What to do if ICE detains you: know your rights

An encounter with ICE can be frightening, but panic makes it harder to protect yourself and your family. This article is general educational information, not legal advice. If you or a loved one faces a real ICE situation, contact an immigration lawyer or trusted legal-aid organization as quickly as possible.

Basic rights many people rely on

In general, people in the United States can use these protections:

1. The right to remain silent
2. The right to ask for a lawyer
3. The right not to sign documents you do not understand
4. The right not to open the door unless officers have a valid judicial warrant

If ICE comes to your home

• Stay calm and keep the door closed
• Ask officers to show the warrant through a window or under the door
• Check whether it is signed by a judge, not just an ICE administrative document
• Say clearly: "I do not consent to entry."
• Do not volunteer information about your status or about other people in the home

If officers stop you in public

• Do not run or physically resist
• Ask whether you are free to leave
• If you are not free to go, say that you want to remain silent and speak with a lawyer
• Do not show fake documents or give false information

Prepare before anything happens

• Memorize important phone numbers
• Keep copies of key documents with a trusted person
• Make a child-care plan if you are a parent
• Carry a simple rights card if that helps you stay calm

Reliable resources

• ICE detainee locator
• NILC know-your-rights resources
• National Immigrant Justice Center

Important reminder

Every case is different. Immigration history, criminal history, prior removal orders, and local enforcement patterns can change what actions are safest. Use this article to prepare, but get qualified legal help for real emergencies.

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