Remain calm. Do not run.
If you’re stopped by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), ask them “Am I free to leave?” If you are, calmly walk away.
Ask agents to show you their badges. ICE agents sometimes wear uniforms that say "Police" even though they are not police officers; it is important to confirm what agency officers work for.
You have the right to remain silent, even if the officer has a warrant. Anything you say – including sharing the country in which you were born, your immigration status, or your criminal history – can be used against you.
Do not physically resist or reach for your belongings without permission, even if you think ICE officials are acting unfairly or unlawfully.
You have the right to say no to searches of your car, house, phone, or person. You cannot be arrested for refusing to consent to a search. However, ICE may search or “frisk” you if they are placing you under arrest, or if they have a valid search warrant signed by a judge.
If you are not under arrest, you have the right to photograph or film ICE activity in public unless you physically interfere. If you have a right to be somewhere, you can record from there.
You do not have to talk about your immigration status or present immigration-related documents to ICE. If an agent asks you for immigration documents, what you need to provide depends on your immigration status:
- U.S. citizens do not have to carry proof of citizenship if they are in the United States.
- If you have valid immigration documents and are over the age of 18, the law requires that you carry those documents with you.
- If you are an immigrant without documents, you can decline the officer’s request, although an agent may then ask you more questions. You have the right to remain silent even if the officer asks questions.
Never lie or present fake or fraudulent documents. If you do not have valid immigration documents or if you only have identification from a foreign country (like a foreign passport), tell officers that you want to remain silent and want to speak with a lawyer.
ICE cannot hold you unless they have reason to think you are in the country without authorization or have violated an immigration-related criminal law. Race or ethnicity alone are not valid reasons to stop you.
Make a plan ahead of time with family and friends in case you are ever arrested by ICE. Memorize important phone numbers and make emergency plans with people you trust.
Do not sign anything before talking to a lawyer.
If you are arrested by ICE:
- Ask for a lawyer.
- Tell authorities you’re going to remain silent.
- Say nothing else.
