Know Your Rights

Social Service Providers

The following information is to assist social service providers in helping immigrant and refugee clients. This is not legal advice. Please consult an attorney for specific legal questions. Last updated February 4, 2025.

 

Encountering ICE at Work/Office

  • Do not allow ICE entry. Law enforcement may not enter the private spaces of an establishment without a valid warrant or permission.
  • Whoever is interacting with the officers should ask for identification and a warrant. The warrant is only valid if it correctly lists the establishment, has the proper date, and is signed by a judge.
  • If the warrant is not valid, you can say, “This warrant is not valid. You may not enter. Please leave.”
  • If the officers enter anyway or if the warrant is valid, you still have rights. You have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney.
  • Document everything you can during the search including the agency the officers are from, officer names, officer badge numbers, witness information and any actions taken by officers.

 

Know Your Rights

Help protect your clients and staff. Know your rights and how to exercise them. Review these documents created by the National Immigration Law Center.

A Guide for Employers: What to Do if Immigration Comes to Your Workplace

Factsheet: Trump’s Rescission of Protected Areas Policies Undermines Safety for All

Warrants & Subpoenas: What to Look Out for and How to Respond

Guide to Immigrant Eligibility for Federal Programs

 

Trainings

Religious Communities

The following information is to assist places of worship in helping immigrant and refugee members/attendees. This is not legal advice. Please consult an attorney for specific legal questions. Last updated February 4, 2025.

Encountering ICE in Places of Worship

  • Do not allow ICE entry. Law enforcement may not enter the private spaces of an establishment without a valid warrant or permission.
  • Whoever is interacting with the officers should ask for identification and a warrant. The warrant is only valid if it correctly lists the establishment, has the proper date, and is signed by a judge.
  • If the warrant is not valid, you can say, “This warrant is not valid. You may not enter. Please leave.”
  • If the officers enter anyway or if the warrant is valid, you still have rights. You have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney.
  • Document everything you can during the search including the agency the officers are from, officer names, officer badge numbers, witness information and any actions taken by officers.

 

Know Your Rights

Help protect your members, attendees, and staff. Know your rights and how to exercise them. Review these documents created by the National Immigration Law Center.

Factsheet: Trump’s Rescission of Protected Areas Policies Undermines Safety for All

Warrants & Subpoenas: What to Look Out for and How to Respond

 

Trainings

Educators (Higher Ed)

The following information is to assist educators in university/college settings in helping immigrant and refugee families and students. This is not legal advice. Please consult an attorney for specific legal questions. Last updated February 4, 2025.

 

Encountering ICE in School

  • Do not allow ICE entry. Law enforcement may not enter the private spaces of an establishment without a valid warrant or permission.
  • Whoever is interacting with the officers should ask for identification and a warrant. The warrant is only valid if it correctly lists the establishment, has the proper date, and is signed by a judge.
  • If the warrant is not valid, you can say, “This warrant is not valid. You may not enter. Please leave.”
  • If the officers enter anyway or if the warrant is valid, you still have rights. You have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney.
  • Document everything you can during the search including the agency the officers are from, officer names, officer badge numbers, witness information and any actions taken by officers.

 

Know Your Rights

Help protect your students and staff. Know your rights and how to exercise them. Review these documents created by the National Immigration Law Center and others.

Higher Education for Immigrant Students

Factsheet: Trump’s Rescission of Protected Areas Policies Undermines Safety for All

Warrants & Subpoenas: What to Look Out for and How to Respond

Basic Facts About In-State Tuition for Undocumented Immigrant Students

Key Points to Know About FAFSA Data Security

Higher Ed Immigration Portal

Trainings

Educators (K-12)

The following information is to assist educators in helping immigrant and refugee families and students. This is not legal advice. Please consult an attorney for specific legal questions. Last updated February 4, 2025.

 

Encountering ICE in School

  • Do not allow ICE entry. Law enforcement may not enter the private spaces of an establishment without a valid warrant or permission.
  • Whoever is interacting with the officers should ask for identification and a warrant. The warrant is only valid if it correctly lists the establishment, has the proper date, and is signed by a judge.
  • If the warrant is not valid, you can say, “This warrant is not valid. You may not enter. Please leave.”
  • If the officers enter anyway or if the warrant is valid, you still have rights. You have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney.
  • Document everything you can during the search including the agency the officers are from, officer names, officer badge numbers, witness information and any actions taken by officers.

 

Know Your Rights

Help protect your students and staff. Know your rights and how to exercise them. Review these documents created by the National Immigration Law Center and others.

MN Attorney General Guidance for Educators

Guidance for Schools

Factsheet: Trump’s Rescission of Protected Areas Policies Undermines Safety for All

Warrants & Subpoenas: What to Look Out for and How to Respond

Education For All Campaign

Plyler and Data Collection

Trainings

Health Care Providers

The following information is to assist healthcare providers in helping immigrant and refugee patients. This is not legal advice. Please consult an attorney for specific legal questions. Last updated February 4, 2025.

Encountering ICE in Healthcare Settings

  • Do not allow ICE entry. Law enforcement may not enter the private spaces of an establishment without a valid warrant or permission.
  • Whoever is interacting with the officers should ask for identification and a warrant. The warrant is only valid if it correctly lists the establishment, has the proper date, and is signed by a judge.
  • If the warrant is not valid, you can say, “This warrant is not valid. You may not enter. Please leave.”
  • If the officers enter anyway or if the warrant is valid, you still have rights. You have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney.
  • Document everything you can during the search including the agency the officers are from, officer names, officer badge numbers, witness information and any actions taken by officers.

 

Know Your Rights

Help protect your patients and your colleagues/staff. Know your rights and how to exercise them. Review these documents created by the National Immigration Law Center.

Health Care Providers and Immigration Enforcement: Know Your Rights, Know Your Patients’ Rights

A Guide for Employers: What To Do If Immigration Comes to Your Workplace

Health Care and Health Insurance for Immigrants

Warrants & Subpoenas: What to Look Out for and How to Respond

 

Trainings

Join this upcoming virtual training called “Immigration Basics: Healthcare Providers” on February 11.

Community Groups

The following information is to assist community groups in helping immigrants and refugees. This is not legal advice. Please consult an attorney for specific legal questions. Last updated February 4, 2025.

 

Know Your Rights

Learning and sharing “know your rights” information can help people in interactions with law enforcement:

 

Emergency Family Preparedness

Help immigrants in your community prepare for the possibility of interacting with ICE by reviewing the following resources:

 

Trainings

Join this upcoming virtual training called “Immigration Basics: Community Advocates” on March 18

Immigrants/Refugees

The following information is to assist immigrants and refugees. This is not legal advice. Please consult an attorney for specific legal questions. Last updated February 4, 2025.

 

General Know Your Rights Information

You have the right to remain silent. You do not have to answer any questions from ICE or other law enforcement.

You have the right to an attorney. You may have a lawyer with you if ICE or other law enforcement questions you. Do not sign anything without a lawyer.

You have the right to decline a search. Do not open your door. ICE is not legally allowed to enter your home without a proper judicial warrant.

Please review and practice this “Know Your Rights” information. It is available in Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Creole, English, Farsi, Korean, Russian, Spanish, and Vietnamese.

 

Encounters with ICE

In public

  • Ask, “Am I free to go?” If the officer says yes, walk away. If the officer says no, do not walk away.
  • You have the right to remain silent. You do not need to answer questions about your immigration status, where you are going, or what you are doing.
  • You have the right to refuse a search of yourself or your belongings. The officer may legally pat down your clothing if they suspect a weapon. Otherwise, you may say, “I do not consent to being searched.”
  • You have the right to an attorney. You may say, “I will not answer any questions without my attorney.” Memorize the phone number of an attorney you can call if you are detained.

In your car

  • Pull over to the side of the road. Open your window slightly. Keep your hands on the steering wheel.
  • When asked, you must provide your license, registration, and proof of insurance.
  • You have the right to remain silent. You do not need to answer questions about your immigration status, where you are going, or what you are doing.
  • You have the right to refuse a search of yourself or your vehicle. The officer may legally pat down your clothing if they suspect a weapon. Otherwise you may say, “I do not consent to this search.”
  • You have the right to an attorney. You may say, “I will not answer any questions without my attorney.” Memorize the phone number of an attorney you can call if you are detained.

In your home

  • Do not open your door. Ask for identification.
  • To enter your home legally, officers must present a valid judicial warrant. It must have your correct address and name and be signed by a judge. Instruct the officers to hold the warrant up to the window or slide it under the door for your review.
  • If the warrant is not valid, you can say, “This warrant is not valid. You may not enter. Please leave.”
  • If the officers enter anyway or if the warrant is valid, you still have rights. You have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney.
  • Document everything you can during the search including the agency the officers are from, officer names, officer badge numbers, witness information and any actions taken by officers.

At school/work

  • Law enforcement may not enter the private spaces of an establishment without a valid warrant or permission.
  • Whoever is interacting with the officers should ask for identification and a warrant. The warrant is only valid if it correctly lists the establishment, has the proper date, and is signed by a judge.
  • If the warrant is not valid, you can say, “This warrant is not valid. You may not enter. Please leave.”
  • If the officers enter anyway or if the warrant is valid, you still have rights. You have the right to remain silent and the right to an attorney.
  • Document everything you can during the search including the agency the officers are from, officer names, officer badge numbers, witness information and any actions taken by officers

General reminders

  • Do not run or resist arrest. This may be used unfairly against you in court.
  • Never lie or present false documents. This may be used unfairly against you in court.
  • Do not open the door without confirming that the officers have a valid warrant. Opening the door is considered consent to enter.
  • Do not answer any questions without an attorney present. Any information may be used unfairly against you in court.
  • Read through “Know Your Rights” material, practice scenarios, and prepare documents so you are ready if you encounter ICE.

 

Detention

If you are detained:

  • Request a phone call to your attorney or emergency contact.
  • You have the right to remain silent. You should not answer any questions or sign anything without an attorney present.
  • Request a copy of all papers your attorney submits to the judge as part of your case.

To find someone detained by ICE:

  • Use ICE’s online detainee locator
  • Call the local ICE office at (402) 536-4935 (Fort Snelling). Make sure to have the person’s alien registration number written down, if they have one.
  • Call the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) hotline number at 1-800-898- 7180 (toll-free) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to get information on your case’s status.

 

Get Legal Assistance

 

DACA

DACA holders still have legal status and can renew their DACA status. To learn more about DACA, please visit our “Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)” website page.

 

TPS

If you have questions about your TPS status, applying, or renewing, please visit our “Temporary Protected Status” website page or our “Fact Sheet: Temporary Protected Status” website page.

 

For 24/7 help finding any type of assistance, visit the 211 Resource Library.