Know your rights
Your rights, in plain words.
Sus derechos, en palabras sencillas.
These rights belong to everyone in the United States, whatever their immigration status. Read them now, share them with your family, and keep our number on paper.
If officers come to your door
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You do not have to open the door
No tiene que abrir la puerta
Ask the officer to slip any warrant under the door or hold it to a window. ICE paperwork is not the same as a warrant signed by a judge. Without a judge's warrant with your address on it, you can keep the door closed.
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You have the right to stay silent
Tiene derecho a guardar silencio
You can say: "I choose to remain silent. I want to speak to a lawyer." You do not have to say where you were born or how you came to the U.S.
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Do not sign anything you do not understand
No firme nada que no entienda
Some papers give up your right to see a judge. Ask for a lawyer before you sign anything.
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Do not lie and do not carry false papers
No mienta ni lleve documentos falsos
Staying silent is your right. Lying or showing false documents can hurt your case for years.
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You can ask for a lawyer and call your consulate
Puede pedir un abogado y llamar a su consulado
If you are detained, you can ask to call a lawyer and your country's consulate. Memorize one phone number you trust.
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Make a family plan now
Haga un plan familiar ahora
Who picks up the children? Where are the passports and birth certificates? Who has a copy of your A-number? Write it down and tell one trusted person.
Other places it can happen
On the street or in public
- Ask, "Am I free to go?" If the answer is yes, walk away calmly.
- You do not have to answer questions about where you were born or your status.
- Do not run, resist or argue, even if you believe the stop is unfair.
At work
- Officers may need a warrant to enter private areas of a workplace. Your employer decides which areas are private.
- You can stay silent and ask for a lawyer.
- Do not hide or run. Stay calm and keep your hands visible.
In a car
- The driver must show a license, registration and proof of insurance when asked.
- Passengers can stay silent.
- You do not have to agree to a search of your car. Say clearly, "I do not consent to a search."
If you are detained
- Say you want to speak to a lawyer. Do not answer questions about your case without one.
- Do not sign papers agreeing to leave the country before you talk to a lawyer.
- Write down your A-number as soon as you know it, and give it to your family.
Two kinds of papers. Only one opens your door.
Officers sometimes show a paper that looks official. Ask them to slide it under the door or hold it to a window, and look for these signs.
Can allow entry
A warrant signed by a judge
- Says it is from a court, such as a U.S. District Court or a state court
- Signed by a judge or magistrate
- Lists your correct address and the area to be searched
Not enough on its own
An immigration (ICE) warrant
- Says "Department of Homeland Security" at the top
- Signed by an immigration officer, not a judge
- Does not by itself give officers the right to enter your home without your consent
If officers come in anyway, do not resist. Say clearly, "I do not consent to this search," stay silent, and call us as soon as you can.
Make a family plan this week
The calmest families we meet after a detention are the ones who planned before. It takes one evening. You do not need a lawyer to start.
- Who will pick up the children from school or daycare
- A signed note or power of attorney for a trusted adult to care for them
- Copies of passports, birth certificates and IDs in one folder, with someone you trust
- Every family member's A-number, if they have one, written down
- Our 24-hour number, memorized or written on paper, not only in a phone
- Medicine lists and doctors' names for anyone who needs them
Your pocket card
Print it, cut it out, and keep it in your wallet. If an officer speaks to you, you can read from it or hand it over.
English
I choose to remain silent. I do not consent to a search. I want to speak with my lawyer. I will not sign anything without my lawyer.
Español
Elijo guardar silencio. No doy permiso para un registro. Quiero hablar con mi abogado. No firmaré nada sin mi abogado.
Amparo Defense Law · 24 hours
(704) 555-0119
My A-number: A ____ ____ ____
This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws and practices change. If you or a family member is in contact with immigration officers, talk to a lawyer about your situation. What to do if someone was detained
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