Regardless of your immigration status, everyone has certain rights as it relates to encounters with immigration authorities. These rights include:
- You have the right to remain silent. You do not have to discuss your immigration status with anyone, including law enforcement. Anything you say could be used against you
- If an immigration officer asks to search your person, you can say no. An immigration officer cannot search you without a warrant or probable cause.
- If ICE knocks on your door, you do not have to open the door or even let them in your house unless they have a warrant signed by a Judge. You can require them to present the warrant while they are outside your house and verify if it is signed by an actual judge. If it is not, stop talking to them after telling them to leave.
- If ICE detains you, do not speak to the Agents except to give them basic information like your name. You are required to identify yourself, but that is it.
- While detained, if an ICE officer asks you to sign anything, DO NOT SIGN IT.
- ICE must provide you with an interpter in most instances. If you feel you have no choice but to speak to an officer without an attorney present, at the very least, demand an inteprter.
The Immigration Update 