Comprehensive Know Your Rights Guide Against ICE Raids

Your Fundamental Rights During ICE Encounters

1. Right to Remain Silent
   • You do not have to answer questions about your immigration status, where you were born, or how you entered the country.
   • You can say: “I choose to remain silent.”
2. Protection from Unlawful Entry
   • ICE agents cannot enter your home without a judicial warrant—a legal document signed by a judge.
   • An administrative warrant from ICE or DHS is not enough to enter your home.
3. Right to Legal Counsel
   • If you are detained, you have the right to ask for a lawyer.
   • You do not have to sign anything without speaking to a lawyer.
4. Freedom from Discrimination
   • You have the right not to be targeted because of your race, nationality, or religion.
   • If you experience discrimination, you can report it to advocacy groups.

If ICE Stops You in Public

What to Do:

• Stay calm. Keep your hands visible and avoid sudden movements.
• Ask: “Am I free to go?” If yes, leave quietly. If no, say: “I invoke my right to remain silent and request a lawyer.”
• Refuse consent for searches: “I do not consent to a search.”

What Not to Do:

• Do not provide false documents or lie about your identity.
• Do not resist physically, even if you believe the encounter is unlawful.

If ICE Comes to Your Home

1. Do Not Open the Door:
   You are not required to let ICE agents into your home unless they have a warrant signed by a judge.
2. Ask to See Identification and a Warrant:
   Talk through the door or window. Ask the agents to show you their badges and a warrant. If they say they have a warrant, ask them to slide it under the door or hold it up to the window so you can check it.
3. Check the Warrant Carefully:
   Make sure the warrant has a judge’s signature, lists your correct address, and, if it’s an arrest warrant, names someone who actually lives at your address.
4. Do Not Give Consent:
   If they do not have a valid judicial warrant, say clearly, “I do not consent to your entry.”
5. Remain Silent:
   You do not have to answer questions about your immigration status or criminal history. You have the right to remain silent.
6. Do Not Sign Anything:
   Do not sign any documents before talking to a lawyer.
7. If They Force Their Way In:
   Do not physically resist, but continue to state, “I do not consent to your entry or search. I wish to speak to a lawyer.”

If ICE Tries to Enter Your Car

1. Pull Over Safely:
   If ICE signals you to stop, pull over in a safe place as soon as possible.
2. Ask for Identification:
   Ask the officers to show you their identification and ask why you are being stopped.
3. Roll Down the Window Partially:
   Only roll down your window partway if asked, to prevent officers from reaching in.
4. Show Required Documents:
   If you are the driver, you must show your driver’s license and registration if asked.
5. Refuse to Answer Questions:
   You do not have to answer questions about your immigration status or how you entered the country.
6. Refuse Consent to Search:
   Say, “I do not consent to a search of my car.” ICE cannot search your car without a judicial warrant or your consent, unless they have a clear reason to believe there is evidence of a crime.
7. Ask if You Are Free to Go:
   You can ask, “Am I free to go?” If the officer says yes, you may leave.
8. If You Are a Passenger:
   Passengers do not have to show ID or answer questions about personal information.

Workplace Raids

• Employers must require ICE to present a judicial warrant before allowing access to non-public areas.
• Employees can:
  • Decline to answer questions about coworkers’ immigration status.
  • Document the raid (names, badge numbers, agencies involved) and report any violations.

Preparedness Checklist

• Carry a Know Your Rights card (available in many languages from immigrant rights organizations).
• Memorize emergency contacts:
  • Southern California Rapid Response Network: (888) 624-4752
  • ACLU Immigration Hotline: (213) 201-3773
• Secure important documents: Store birth certificates, passports, and medical records with a trusted person.
• Create a family plan: Designate caregivers for children and share your immigration number (“A” number) with trusted family or friends.

Post-Raid Actions

1. If you are detained:
   • Give only your name and “A” number.
   • Do not sign anything without speaking to a lawyer.
   • Contact your consulate and request a bond hearing.
2. If your rights were violated:
   • Document all details (officer names, badge numbers, witnesses).
   • File complaints with advocacy organizations.

Los Angeles Legal Services for Immigrants

Nonprofit Legal Organizations

Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project
Offers free legal representation and education for vulnerable immigrants, with a focus on children and families.
Website: esperanza-la.org

Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles (LAFLA) – East Los Angeles Office
Provides free legal help for low-income immigrants, including assistance with asylum, DACA, family petitions, naturalization, removal hearings, VAWA, and T and U visas. Services are available in multiple languages.
Website: lafla.org

International Institute of Los Angeles (IILA)
Offers immigration legal assistance, refugee resettlement, and social services for immigrants and refugees.
Website: iilosangeles.org

Los Angeles LGBT Center – Immigrant Legal Services
Provides legal consultations, court representation, asylum, family petitions, and removal defense for LGBTQ+ immigrants.
Website: lalgbtcenter.org/services/legal-services/immigrant-legal-services/

CHIRLA (Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles)
Delivers legal services, know-your-rights training, advocacy, and rapid response support for immigrants.
Address: 2533 West 3rd Street, Los Angeles, CA 90057
Phone: (213) 353-1333
Website: chirla.org

Legal Clinics and Pro Bono Services

Immigration Legal Assistance Project (ILAP) – Los Angeles County Bar Association (LACBA)
Offers walk-in legal assistance for low-income immigrants at no or low cost.
Location: 300 N. Los Angeles Street, Room 3107, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Hours: Monday–Friday, 8:00 am–12:00 pm and 1:00 pm–3:00 pm
Website: lacba.org

UCLA Civil Rights Project – Immigration Legal Assistance Project
Provides legal assistance and counseling for low-income immigrants, sometimes for a small fee.
Website: civilrightsproject.ucla.edu/resources/community-tools/immigration

USC Gould Immigration Clinic
Provides free legal representation and confidential consultations for adults and children in a variety of immigration matters, including asylum, removal defense, and humanitarian relief.
Email: iclinic@law.usc.edu

Kids in Need of Defense (KIND)
Provides legal representation and support for unaccompanied immigrant and refugee children to ensure their rights and well-being during immigration proceedings.
Email: infolosangeles@supportkind.org

Immigrant Defenders Law Center
Delivers holistic legal defense and advocacy for immigrants facing deportation, focusing on detained and non-detained adults and children in Los Angeles.
Email: info@immdef.org

El Rescate
Offers legal services, advocacy, and community education for immigrants and refugees, with a focus on Central American and Latino communities in Los Angeles.
Email: info@elrescate.org

Central American Resource Center of California (CARECEN)
Provides legal representation, policy advocacy, and community empowerment programs for Central American and immigrant families in Los Angeles.
Email: info@carecen-la.org 

Private Immigration Lawyers

Immigration Lawyers in Los Angeles
Private law offices such as the one led by Mariela Camisassa provide comprehensive immigration legal services, including family petitions, asylum, deportation defense, and naturalization.
Phone: (818) 506-0070
Website: immigrationlawyerlosangeles.la

Hotlines and Rapid Response

CHIRLA Rapid Response Hotline
Provides immediate support and guidance during immigration enforcement actions.
Phone: (888) 624-4752 or (213) 201-8773

Southern California Rapid Response Network
Offers rapid response support for immigrants in crisis.
Phone: (888) 624-4752

ACLU of Southern California Immigration Hotline
Provides legal support and information for immigrants.
Phone: (213) 201-3773