Know Your Rights: Immigrants Stopped By Police or ICE
Last updated: August 13, 2025 01:09 pm
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If you are not a U.S. citizen and are stopped or questioned by the police or ICE, you should:
- Remain silent.
- Remain calm.
- Say “no” when asked to search.
- Never show false documents.
- Never lie about being a U.S. citizen.
You DO NOT have to answer questions about:
- Your immigration status.
- Where you were born.
- How you entered the country.
AT YOUR HOME
If ICE or the police come to your home:
- Stay calm.
- Do not open the door.
- Do not invite them into your home.
- If they have a warrant for your arrest, ask them to show it to you through the peephole or slip it under the door.
- An ICE warrant (Form 1-200) does not give them permission to enter your home.
- A criminal warrant signed by a judge may allow them to enter your home.
- You have the right to remain silent.
- Do not lie.
- Never falsely claim to be a U.S. citizen.
- Do not show false documents of any kind.
- This includes a false driver’s license, social security card, or immigration paperwork.
IN A CAR
If you are pulled over while driving or as a passenger:
- Pull over safely and quickly.
- Turn off the engine, turn on the internal light, and open the window.
- Upon request, give the police (1) your driver’s license, (2) registration, (3) proof of insurance.
- If you do not have one of these, do not give false documents.
- Do not give the officer permission to search your car.
- If they search your car after you tell them “no,” do not resist.
- Do not answer questions about your immigration status.
- If they are the police, you should ask for their name and badge number and write it down.
- If they are ICE and ask you for a green card or proof of status, if you have it, you must show it to the officer.
AT WORK
If ICE comes to your workplace:
- Stay calm.
- Do not run.
- Go to a private area of the building.
- ICE needs a warrant from a judge or your employer’s permission to enter any part of the worksite that is not open to the public (ex: a restaurant's kitchen).
- Remain silent.
- You do not have to give ICE your ID, work authorization, or any papers.
- Any information you give them can be used against you.
IF YOU ARE ARRESTED
- Remain calm.
- Remain silent.
- Do not discuss your immigration status with anyone but your lawyer.
- Do not sign anything you do not understand.
- Say you need an interpreter.
If you are arrested by the police:
- You have the right to a lawyer even if you cannot pay.
- You have the right to a phone call.
- Remember, all calls are monitored and recorded unless you are speaking to a lawyer.
If you are arrested by ICE:
- You have the right to hire your own lawyer.
- Memorize and carry your lawyer’s number with you. Find legal services here.
- You have the right to contact your country’s consulate to tell them you have been detained.
- Give your immigration number or “A-number” (9 digits) to your family to find you.
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Issue Areas:
Immigrants' Rights
Court Cases:
Khan Suri v. Trump, et al.
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