Know Your Immigration Rights

Whether you're undocumented, part of a mixed-status family, or simply concerned about your rights, this page is here to empower you with knowledge, tools, and resources—before, during, and after any encounter with ICE.

Before an ICE Encounter: Be Prepared

1. Create an Emergency Plan

• Appoint a trusted emergency contact.

• Write down important numbers (immigration attorney, family, school, etc.).

• Arrange childcare or eldercare if needed.

• Make a “Family Preparedness Plan” (sample PDF link).

• Keep important documents in one place: passports, birth certificates, medical records, etc.

2. Memorize Key Rights

• You have the right to remain silent.

• You do NOT have to open the door unless ICE has a signed warrant with your name and address.

• You have the right to speak with a lawyer.

3. Power of Attorney

• Designate someone to make legal or financial decisions in case you’re detained.

4. Know Your Local Resources

• Find legal clinics, community groups, and trusted allies.

During an ICE Encounter: Stay Calm

If ICE comes to your door:

• Do not open the door.

• Ask them to slide the warrant under the door.

  • A valid warrant is signed by a judge (not ICE).

• You can say:
  “I do not wish to speak with you without my lawyer present.”

If you’re stopped in public:

• Stay calm and do not run.

• You may remain silent.

• Ask: “Am I free to leave?” If they say yes, walk away.

Do NOT:

• Show false documents.

• Lie.

• Sign anything without understanding it or without a lawyer.

After an ICE Encounter or Detention

1. Call your emergency contact.
Make sure someone knows where you are and what happened.

2. Contact a trusted immigration attorney.
You have the right to a lawyer, but not a free one in immigration court.

3. Know Your Case Status
Use the EOIR Hotline at 800-898-7180 to check your immigration court case.

4. Locate a detained loved one:
Use the ICE Detainee Locator

5. Get Support from Advocacy Groups:

• RAICES

• Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC)

• United We Dream

• National Immigration Law Center

• NAHREP (Real estate advocacy, including immigrant protection)

Downloadable Resources

• “What to Do If ICE Comes to Your Door” (printable card)

• Family Emergency Plan Template (PDF) https://www.ilrc.org/sites/default/files/resources/family_preparedness_plan.pdf

Immigartion Legal Services

Pro Bono or Low Cost Immigration Legal Services Providing Representsation Before the Immigration Court

• USC Gould School of Law - Immigration Clinic 

699 Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90089   (213) 821-5987

• Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles

700 S Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90003   (213) 640-3950

• Kids In Need of Defense

801 S Grand Ave. Suite 550, Los Angeles, CA 90017   (213) 274-0170

• El Rescate

1605 W Olympic Blvd. Suite 516, Los Angeles, CA 90015  (213) 387-3284

• Central American Resource Center (Carecen) of California

2845 W 7th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90005  (213) 385-7800 EXT. 136

• Catholic Charities of Los Angeles - Esperanza Immigration Rights Project 

1530 James Wood Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015  (213) 251-3505

• Immigration Center for Women and Children

634 S Spring St. Suite 727, Los Angeles, CA 90014   (213) 614-1165

• Immigration Defenders Law Center 

634 S Spring St. 10th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90014  (213) 634-0099

• Legal Aid Foundation 01 Los Angeles (Ron Olson Justice Center) 

1550 W 8th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90017  (323) 801-7989

From LA Taco: 11 Pro Bono or Low-Cost Immigration Law Resources In L.A.