If you encounter ICE or customs officers in your neighborhood, it's essential to be informed and act responsibly:

How to reduce risk to yourself

• Stay calm. Don’t run, argue, resist, or obstruct the officer, even if you believe your rights are being violated. Keep your hands where police can see them.
• Don’t lie about your status or provide false documents.

Your rights

• You have the right to remain silent and do not have to discuss your immigration or citizenship status with police, immigration agents, or other officials. Anything you tell an officer can later be used against you in immigration court.
• If you are not a U.S. citizen and an immigration agent requests your immigration papers, you must show them if you have them with you.
• If an immigration agent asks if they can search you, you have the right to say no. Agents do not have the right to search you or your belongings without your consent or probable cause.
• If you’re over 18, carry your papers with you at all times. If you don’t have them, tell the officer that you want to remain silent, or that you want to consult a lawyer before answering any questions.

What to do in such an encounter

• If you are driving and are pulled over, the officer can require you to show your license, vehicle registration and proof of insurance, but you don’t have to answer questions about your immigration status.
• Customs officers can ask about your immigration status when entering or leaving the country. If you are a lawful permanent resident (LPR) who has maintained your status, you only have to answer questions establishing your identity and permanent residency.
• There are two types of orders. One is administrative and the other is signed by the judge. Neither the police nor immigration have the right to enter your home without a valid warrant signed by a judge, make sure you look for the judge’s signature before you comply.

In your workplace

• ICE can not legally enter the private space of a workplace unless they have the permission of your employer or a judicial warrant.
• Private spaces are employee-only areas like the break room or storage room.
• Employers can ask ICE to show their identification and ask if ICE has a warrant.
• If approached by ICE at work, you are NOT obligated to answer their questions. You can direct them to your employer.

For parents

• Have a plan to prevent your children from entering the system.
• Consult with an attorney to create a special power of attorney and assign a trusted relative or person to take care of things in case of deportation.