You Have Rights!
All people in the U.S., whether citizen or non-citizen, have certain rights under the U.S. Constitution and other laws.
- You have the right to refuse consent for immigration or the police to search yourself, your car or your home.
- You have the right to remain silent. If you want to exercise that right, you should say it out loud.
- If you are not a U.S. citizen, you have the right to call the consulate of your home country. Immigration and police must let your consulate visit or speak with you.
- You have the right to speak to an attorney before answering any questions. You may say, “I will remain silent until I speak to an attorney.”
- You do not have to sign anything that you do not understand.
- You have the right to a copy of all your immigration papers.
*This is not intended as legal advice.
Know Your Rights: What To Do If...
Immigration Or The Police Come to Your Door
STOP AND THINK TWICE WHEN SOMEONE COMES TO YOUR DOOR. Know that Immigration and the police can’t come into your home without a warrant signed by a judge.
REMAIN SILENT. You have the right to remain silent. Immigration can use anything you say against you.
STAY CALM AND DO NOT RUN. Use your phone to take photos and notes about the raid, but stay calm and do not run.
ASK TO SPEAK TO YOUR ATTORNEY AND THINK TWICE BEFORE SIGNING ANYTHING. Do not sign forms you don’t understand or don’t want to sign. A lawyer who knows deportation defense may be able to help you fight your case.
Immigration Or The Police Stop You While Driving Your Car
REMAIN SILENT. Show the police your drivers’ license. If asked, show your car registration and proof of insurance. But you still have the right to remain silent about everything else. Immigration can use anything you say against you. You have the right to refuse to give your consent for a search of yourself or your car.
STAY CALM AND DO NOT RUN. Use your phone to take photos and notes about the stop, but stay calm and do not run.
ASK TO SPEAK TO YOUR ATTORNEY AND THINK TWICE BEFORE SIGNING ANYTHING. Don’t sign forms you don’t understand or don’t want to sign. You have the right to speak with an attorney.
FIND LEGAL HELP. iAmerica has a list of legal service providers if you need a lawyer
Immigration Or The Police Stop You Outdoors
REMAIN SILENT. If asked, you should give your name. But you still have the right to remain silent about everything else. Immigration can use anything you say against you.
STAY CALM AND DO NOT RUN. Use your phone to take photos and notes about the stop, but stay calm and do not run.
ASK TO SPEAK TO YOUR ATTORNEY AND THINK TWICE BEFORE SIGNING ANYTHING. Don’t sign forms you don’t understand or don’t want to sign. You have the right to speak with an attorney.
LEGAL HELP. iAmerica has a list of legal service providers if you need a lawyer
You Are Arrested
REMAIN SILENT. You have the right to remain silent. Immigration can use anything you say against you.
STAY CALM AND DO NOT RUN. Use your phone to take photos and notes about the stop, but stay calm and do not run.
ASK TO SPEAK TO YOUR ATTORNEY AND THINK TWICE BEFORE SIGNING ANYTHING. Don’t sign forms you don’t understand or don’t want to sign. You have the right to speak with an attorney.
FIND LEGAL HELP. iAmerica has a list of legal service providers if you need a lawyer
You Are in Jail
REMAIN SILENT. You have the right to remain silent and the right to speak to your public defender. The information about your immigration status can be used against you in your criminal or immigration case.
ASK TO SPEAK TO YOUR ATTORNEY. Remember to speak to your public defender before answering any questions from a police or immigration officer.
THINK TWICE BEFORE SIGNING ANYTHING. Don’t sign forms you don’t understand or don’t want to sign. You have the right to speak with an attorney.
FIND LEGAL HELP. iAmerica has a list of legal service providers if you need a lawyer
I’m a U.S. Citizen. What Should I do if ICE Questions, Detains, or Arrests Me?
- DOES ICE HAVE THE RIGHT TO DETAIN OR ARREST U.S. CITIZENS BASED ON IMMIGRATION STATUS? NO. The immigration law and its rules do not apply to U.S. citizens. ICE agents have deportation authority over non-citizens only.
- ICE agents violate the 4th and 5th Amendment of the Constitution if they question, detain or arrest U.S. citizen based on the citizen’s race.
- Tell ICE that you are a U.S. citizen and ICE does not have the authority to detain or arrest you.
- Ask to speak to your lawyer. You have the right to speak to your lawyer.
- Ask for the ICE agent’s name and badge number and save that information.
- Consult a lawyer about filing a lawsuit if you are questioned, detained and arrested. ICE and local police that assist ICE may be liable to pay fines and monetary damages for unlawful, questioning, detention and arrest of U.S. citizens.
Know Your Rights Cards
The ILRC’s Red Cards help people assert their rights and defend themselves in many situations, such as when ICE agents go to a home.
Download and Save to Your Phone
Download this card and save it to your phone. This card can protect you if immigration or the police question you. The card will tell immigration or the police that you are exercising your constitutional rights.
Print Your Own
Download, print, cut-out and carry this card with you. You can share these cards with family and friends. This card can protect you if immigration or the police question you. The card will tell immigration or the police that you are exercising your constitutional rights.
Print to Share
The artwork for printing your own cards is available at the bottom of this page. These are formatted as standard 3.5” by 2” business cards. Any print or copy shop should be able to work from these files. Translated versions are designed to support monolingual immigrants translate their rights with immigration officers. For additional languages, please visit the Immigration Legal Resource Center website.
Using Your Red Card
Please see here for further information on how to use your Red Cards.
visit this link to learn what you can do if you find yourself facing an immigration agent: https://www.wehaverights.us/spanish.
Who to Call for Help
CHIRLA – The Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights– (888) 624-4752
Long Beach Community Defense Network – Hotline: 562-276-0267
Los Angeles Raids and Rapid Response Network – Hotline: 888-624-4752
Orange County Rapid Response Network – Hotline: 714-881-1558, Email: casereferral@ocrapidresponse.org
(San Bernardino & Riverside Counties) Inland Coalition For Immigrant Justice’s Resource – Hotline: 909-361-4588
Southern California Bilingual Rapid Response Legal Resource Hotline – Hotline: 213-833-8283
211 – Connect with local community services
