Know Your Rights

Know Your Rights: Interacting with ICE in the DMV

Last updated: January 20, 2026 03:29 pm

A person holds up a protest sign that says "America would be nothing without immigrants." To the right is a person holding another persons hand.

In the DMV, where daily life crosses jurisdictional boundaries, immigration enforcement functions as a regional force. Families in this region often live in one jurisdiction, work in another, and rely on schools, hospitals, and public services spread across both state and district borders.

But your rights do NOT change when you cross these borders.

Preparing for ICE Raids

If you learn of possible immigration enforcement in your community, it’s important to act quickly and be prepared.

Keep your plan safe: Store it with important documents (passport, prescriptions, immigration papers).
Never carry it with you. Share its location only with trusted family or friends, never with ICE.

What to do if you are stopped by ICE

You DO NOT have to answer questions about:

Your immigration status.
Where you were born.
How you entered the country.

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.

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.

A modern house is photographed. To the right over the image is an ICE badge.

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 lawful immigration status you must present your valid immigration docs. If you are undocumented, you have the right to stay silent.

A cop stops a car and asks for identification. To the right over the image is an ICE badge.

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 lawful immigration status you must present your valid immigration docs. If you are undocumented, you have the right to stay silent.

At your 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.

A parking lot of a large store is shown on the left. On the right is an ICE badge.

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.

What to do if you are arrested by ICE

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.

Arrested by police

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.

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.

Arrested by ICE

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.

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.

Legal Support and Resources on Arrest, Detention, and Deportation in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia:

If you or a loved one faces detention, deportation, or any complex immigration issue, these groups provide free or low-cost legal assistance:

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