Know your rights
before you need them.

1. 01

   You have the right to remain silent

   You have no obligation to discuss your immigration or citizenship status with ICE agents or other law enforcement, and you do not have to answer questions about where you were born or how you entered the country. This does not apply at international borders and airports, or to people on nonimmigrant visas such as tourists and business travelers.

   Español

   Usted tiene derecho a permanecer en silencio y no tiene obligación de hablar sobre su estado migratorio con agentes de ICE u otros funcionarios. No tiene que responder preguntas sobre dónde nació o cómo llegó al país. Esto no se aplica en fronteras internacionales, aeropuertos, ni para personas con visas de no inmigrante.

2. 02

   Show your documents if you have them

   If you are not a U.S. citizen and an agent asks for your immigration documents and you have them with you, you must show them. If you do not have papers, remain silent. Never provide fake documents and never lie about your citizenship.

   Español

   Si usted no es ciudadano y un agente solicita sus documentos de inmigración y los tiene consigo, debe mostrarlos. Si no tiene papeles, permanezca en silencio. No proporcione documentos falsos ni mienta sobre su ciudadanía.

3. 03

   Keep the door closed without a judge’s warrant

   You may keep the door closed and ask whether they are immigration officers. Only a warrant signed by a judge allows entry — one signed by an ICE employee does not. Ask them to slip it under the door, check that the address is yours, and remember that officers may only search the areas listed. A deportation warrant does not permit entry without consent, and you keep the right to remain silent either way.

   Español

   Puede mantener la puerta cerrada y preguntar si son oficiales de inmigración. Solo una orden firmada por un juez permite la entrada; una firmada por un empleado de ICE no es suficiente. Pida que la pasen por debajo de la puerta, verifique la dirección y recuerde que solo pueden revisar las áreas indicadas. Una orden de deportación no permite el ingreso sin consentimiento.

4. 04

   Ask for an interpreter

   If the officers do not speak your language, ask for an interpreter before answering anything.

   Español

   Si los oficiales no hablan su idioma, solicite un intérprete antes de responder cualquier pregunta.

5. 05

   Do not resist — say the words

   If agents force their way in, do not resist. State clearly: “I do not consent to your entry or to your search of these premises. I am exercising my right to remain silent. I wish to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.” Everyone in the home has that same right.

   Español

   Si los agentes se abren paso, no se resista. Diga claramente: «No doy mi consentimiento a su entrada ni a una búsqueda de este lugar. Estoy ejerciendo mi derecho a permanecer en silencio. Deseo hablar con un abogado lo antes posible». Todos en el hogar tienen el mismo derecho.

6. 06

   You have a right to a lawyer — sign nothing without one

   If ICE takes you into custody you have the right to a lawyer, though the government does not have to provide one. Ask for the list of free or low-cost attorneys. Discuss your case with no one but your lawyer, and do not sign anything first — signing can cost you the chance to stay.

   Español

   Si ICE lo detiene, tiene derecho a un abogado, aunque el gobierno no está obligado a proporcionarlo. Solicite la lista de abogados gratuitos o de bajo costo. No hable de su caso con nadie más que su abogado y no firme nada antes de consultarlo: firmar puede costarle la oportunidad de permanecer en el país.

7. 07

   Call your consulate

   You have the right to contact your consulate, or to ask an officer to notify the consulate of your arrest.

   Español

   Tiene derecho a contactar a su consulado, o a pedir que un oficial informe al consulado de su arresto.

Official sources

Go to the government, not to a rumor.

Beware of notarios. In the United States a notary public cannot give legal advice or file immigration forms on your behalf. Ask anyone who offers to “fix” your case for their bar number — and verify it.