EXIT

Know Your Rights

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.