Know Your Rights
When interacting with Immigration and Customs
Enforcement officers (ICE)
The presence of ICE in our cities isn’t just an immigrant issue - it is a Black issue, too.
Increasingly, ICE is illegally detaining Black American citizens in and around Chicago and other targeted cities. And Black immigrants have been show to be at increased risk for abuse while in ICE custody.
Regardless of our citizenship or immigration status, we must all be vigilant and aware of ICE’s activities in our cities. Most importantly, we must know our rights, and understand exactly what to do if we are approached, intimidated or detained.
Please share this information broadly with your friends, family and neighbors.
We keep us safe!
If you come into contact with ICE in any location - including
at work - remember:
-
Remain calm and do not run. Keep your hands where the officers can see them.
-
You may ask the officer if you are free to leave. If they say yes, leave to a safe place.
-
You have the right to refuse to answer questions from immigration officers and law enforcement. You must tell them that you refuse to answer questions.
-
You do NOT have to answer any questions about citizenship status or country of birth.
-
-
DO NOT sign anything. Ask to speak to an attorney.
If an officer knocks at your door at home:
-
DO NOT open the door. Be sure to teach everyone in your household - especially children - not to open the door.
-
ICE officers must have a warrant signed by a judge to enter your home. ICE has been known to carry unenforceable "warrants” that are not signed by a judge - rather, they are ICE forms signed by ICE officers, and they do not grant
-
authority to enter your home without consent.
If you are outdoors, and think you see ICE nearby:
-
Move to a safe indoor place.
-
Write down any relevant information you witness - keep records of what you see.
-
DO NOT:
-
Post unverified information on social media.
-
Interfere with the operation, or put yourself in harm’s way.
-
Create a Safety Plan
-
Identify your emergency contacts and memorize their numbers.
-
Provide your child’s school with an emergency contact to pick up your child in case you are detained.
-
Provide authorization in writing for your emergency contact to make medical and legal decisions for your child.
-
-
Memorize the site for the ICE detainee locator: locator.ice.gov. You can try to use this if a loved one is detained; make sure your loved ones also know to use it if you are detained.
-
Make a plan to access legal representation if you are detained. Memorize the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights' (ICIRR) hotline number: 1-855-435-7693 to access an attorney.