Your Constitutional Rights

Regardless of immigration status, the U.S. Constitution guarantees these rights to all people on U.S. soil.

Right to Remain Silent

You have the right to remain silent—the 5th Amendment protects you. You do not have to answer questions about where you were born, your immigration status, or how you entered the country. Say: "I am exercising my right to remain silent."

Right to a Lawyer

You have the right to speak with an attorney. If detained, say: "I want to speak with a lawyer before answering any questions." You have the right to make a phone call. Immigration detainees must be given a list of free legal service providers.

Protection in Your Home

ICE generally cannot enter your home without a judicial warrant signed by a judge. An ICE administrative warrant (Form I-200) does NOT give them permission to enter. You are not required to open the door. Ask them to slip the warrant under the door.

Right to Refuse Consent

You can refuse a search of yourself, your car, or your home. Say clearly: "I do not consent to a search." This does not guarantee they won't search, but it protects your legal rights.

Don't Sign Anything

Do not sign any documents without reading them carefully and speaking to a lawyer first. Signing voluntary departure papers waives your right to appear before an immigration judge and could result in a 10-year bar on re-entry.

Right to Record

You have the First Amendment right to record law enforcement in public places as long as you do not interfere. This includes recording ICE agents. Keep recordings safely backed up.

What NOT to Do

Don't run or resist. Running from agents can be used against you and may result in additional charges.
Don't lie or provide false documents. This is a federal crime and can permanently bar you from immigration relief.
Don't open the door. You have no obligation to open your door. Communicate through the closed door and ask for a judicial warrant.
Don't sign voluntary departure. This waives your right to a hearing and could bar re-entry for years.
Don't carry documents from another country. Carrying a foreign passport can be used to establish alienage.

What to Do — Step by Step

ICE is at Your Door

Do NOT open the door. You have no obligation to open for ICE agents.
Ask (through the closed door): "Are you immigration agents? Do you have a judicial warrant signed by a judge?"
If they say yes, ask them to slide the warrant under the door. Check that it's signed by a federal judge (not just an ICE officer) and that your name and address are correct.
An ICE administrative warrant (Form I-200 or I-205) does NOT give agents the right to enter your home.
If they do NOT have a judicial warrant: "I do not consent to your entry. Please leave any paperwork at the door."
Stay calm. Do not answer questions. Record if possible.
Call your emergency contact and an immigration lawyer immediately.

Stopped While Driving

Pull over safely. Keep your hands visible on the steering wheel.
You must show your driver's license, registration, and proof of insurance if asked by a police officer.
You do NOT have to answer questions about your birthplace, immigration status, or where you're traveling to/from.
Say: "I am exercising my right to remain silent. I do not consent to a search."
If at an interior immigration checkpoint (within 100 miles of a border): agents can briefly stop your car but you still have the right to remain silent.
You may ask: "Am I free to go?" If yes, calmly drive away.

ICE at Your Workplace

Your employer should ask to see a judicial warrant before allowing ICE into non-public areas.
You have the right to remain silent. You don't have to answer questions about your immigration status.
Do not run. Stay calm. If you can, move to a non-public area.
You have the right to call a lawyer. Ask for your union representative if you have one.
Your employer cannot retaliate against you for exercising your rights.

Stopped on the Street

Stay calm. You can ask: "Am I being detained, or am I free to go?"
If you are free to go, walk away calmly.
If detained, exercise your right to remain silent: "I am exercising my right to remain silent and want to speak with a lawyer."
Do not provide false information. Do not show foreign documents.
Remember badge numbers, officer names, and vehicle numbers if possible.

If You Are Detained

Stay calm and repeat: "I wish to remain silent. I want to speak with a lawyer."
Do not sign anything without a lawyer reviewing it—especially voluntary departure forms.
Memorize or carry your emergency contact number. You have the right to make a phone call.
Give your full legal name if asked, but nothing more without a lawyer.
If you have valid immigration documents, inform your lawyer—not the agents—about them.
You have the right to a hearing before an immigration judge. Do not waive this right.
Ask for a list of free legal service providers (detention facilities are required to provide one).

Emergency Preparedness Checklist

Prepare now so you're ready if anything happens. Share this with your family.

Memorize key phone numbers. Know by heart the number of at least one trusted person (family, friend, or attorney) who can help in an emergency.
Designate a trusted person. Choose someone (ideally a U.S. citizen or legal resident) who can care for your children, access your bank account, and communicate with a lawyer on your behalf.
Prepare a power of attorney. Have a signed, notarized document giving your trusted person the authority to make decisions about your children, finances, and property.
Gather important documents. Keep copies (physical and digital) of: birth certificates, passports, immigration papers, IDs, school records, medical records, lease/mortgage documents, car title, tax returns, bank information.
Know your A-number. If you have one, memorize your Alien Registration Number (A-Number). This is crucial if you're detained.
Download the Signal app. Use encrypted messaging (Signal) to communicate with your emergency network. Create a group with your trusted contacts.
Have emergency funds accessible. Keep some cash where your trusted person can access it. Know your bank account numbers.
Talk to your children. Have an age-appropriate conversation. Make sure they know who to call and where to go if you're not there.
Know a lawyer. Research immigration attorneys or legal aid organizations before an emergency. Many offer free consultations. See the Resources tab.
Practice the plan. Role-play what to do if ICE knocks on the door. Make sure everyone in your household knows the plan and the key phrases to say.

Printable Wallet Card

Print this card, cut it out, and keep it in your wallet. Present it to agents if confronted.

🛡️ KNOW YOUR RIGHTS CARD

I am exercising my right to remain silent. I do not consent to a search of my person or property. I want to speak with a lawyer before answering any questions.

If I am being detained, I request to know the reason and to speak with an attorney. I will not sign any documents without my attorney present.

Emergency Contact: ___________________________
Attorney: ___________________________
A-Number: ___________________________

Emergency Hotlines

ICE Detainee Hotline

1-888-351-4024 — 24/7

National Immigrant Legal Hotline

1-800-354-0365

RAICES Texas

1-800-732-4237 — Free legal help

ICE Reporting Tip Line

1-866-DHS-2-ICE — Report abuse

Legal Aid Organizations

Find Free Legal Help Near You ACLU Know Your Rights RAICES Texas United We Dream National Immigration Law Center CLINIC Legal Informed Immigrant

Apps & Tools

Know Your Rights App (NAKASEC)

Mobile app for immigrants to understand their legal rights. Available on iOS.

EnglishEspañol한국어

Signal Messenger

Encrypted messaging app recommended for secure communication with your emergency network. Free and open source.

All Languages

Mobile Justice (ACLU)

Record interactions with law enforcement. Automatically uploads to ACLU servers so recordings can't be deleted.

EnglishEspañol

Frases Clave — Key Phrases

Memorize these phrases in both languages.

English

"I am exercising my right to remain silent."

"I do not consent to a search."

"I want to speak with a lawyer."

"Am I free to go?"

Español

"Estoy ejerciendo mi derecho a guardar silencio."

"No doy mi consentimiento para un registro."

"Quiero hablar con un abogado."

"¿Soy libre de irme?"

ICE Alerts