What you need to know

Immigrants are under attack. Current US administration singled out illegal immigrants as the enemy of the American people, and in the rush to deport indiscriminately, it once again works to stamp out dissent, trample over human rights, tear apart families and hurt innocent people. With checks and balances being destroyed daily, it is critically important to know your rights. Below is not legal advice, but rather a collection of things to know from reputable sources.

If you weren’t born in the United States, you need to consider that you may at some point during current administration be stopped and your immigration status may be questioned or threatened. Prepare in advance to make sure you know your rights and how to act when your rights are violated.

If ICE comes to your home: Know that Immigration and the police can’t come into your home without a warrant signed by a judge. If they do have a warrant signed by a judge, remain silent, don’t try to flee, request to speak to your attorney, and do not sign anything before speaking with your attorney. Note that a warrant of removal/deportation (Form I-205) does not allow officers to enter a home without consent.

If you are stopped by ICE outside of your home: remain silent, don’t try to flee, request to speak to your attorney, and do not sign anything before speaking with your attorney.

Phone search at the border: there are increasing reports of Customs and Border Protection agents asking for personal phones to search at the US border entry. What to do in this situation? It depends. For foreign visitors, a foreign visitor who declines a search can be turned away at the border and refused entry. US citizens can’t denied entry for refusing a search, but the border agents can still seize the phone and potentially delay a citizen’s travel. Read more…

Legal firms list compilation by Georgetown University law students: see which firms cowed to Trump’s intimidation. Avoid those that cannot be trusted to fight for your rights.

Carry a card to remember your rights

Find an immigration lawyer, or memorize the phone number if you already have one.

  • If you have no lawyer, ask the court to allow you time to find one.