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Amid fears of ICE raids, these tips could help

Experts recommend knowing legal rights, backing up documents

By: C,A. Bridges
USA Today Network - Florida

TALLAHASSEE, Florida - Thre are many immigrants in the country without permanent status, including workers on H-2 visas, immigration on travel or school visas, refugees, undocumented people and immigrant;s brought into the country as children known as :Dreamers" under a policy formally called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals.
..... And many are terrified that an Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, raid will happen at their homes, schools or jobs, leading to their arrest and eventual deportation from the country as part of President Donald Trump's mass depredation effort.
..... Ever since Trump declared a national border emergency on the first day of his second term [01/20/2025] there has been a dramatic increase in raids with the stated goal of mass deportation.
..... "I will declare a national emergency at our southern border," Trump said during his inaugural speech. [01/20/2025] "all illegal entry will be immediately halted and we will begin the process of returning millions and millions of illegal aliens back to the paces form which they came."
..... To aid in this, the Trump administration deputize thousands more federal law enforcement officers. Trump also issued executive orders to authorize the expansion of "expedited removal," which allow the U.S. to deport someone without a hearing, and revoked a ban on ICE arrest in so-called sensitive areas, such as hospital, schools and churches.
..... What can concerned immigrants do to protect themselves, especially if they have the right to be here but fear being deported anyway? Prepare and communicate, according to immigration advocates.
..... Here are some tips provided by the American Civil Liberties Union and the National Immigration Resource Center. consult a lawyer for you specifies; this should not be considered legal advice.

Question: How do you best prepare for an ICE raid?

..... Answer: If you are over 18, you should carry your mitigation papers, with you at all times. The National Immigration Resource Center also recommends:
* Gather important documents for all family members showing how long each one ahs been in the United States. This can include birth certificates, U.S. income tax returns, utility bills, leases, school records, medical records or bank records. Put copies into a secure Online folder or location you can access by phone.
* identify your emergency contacts, memorize their phone numbers and make sure your contact can access all of your documents.
* Memorize your mitigation number ("A" number) and make sure your family members or emergency contacts know it so they can find you more easily if you are detained.
* Provide your child's school or day care with an emergency contact to pickup your child in case you are detained.
* Tell your loved ones that if you are detained by ICE, they can try to use ICE's Online detainee locator to find you with the date of birth and country of origin at locator.ice.gov .
..... If you are detained, you, your family or emergency contacts can contact the lilac ICE Enforcement and Removal Operation office to initiate an ICE Case Review process. have supporting documents ready.
..... You also may want to avoid sharing your worries and preparation on social media or in email and insecure messaging applications.

What do I do if I am asked about my immigration status?

..... Everyone living in the United States has certain rights and protectionist provided by the Constitution, whatever their residency status is, according to the American Civil Liberties Union, including:
* You have the right to remain silent. You don;t have to discuss your immigration or citizenship status with police or immigration agents. anything said to an officer can later be used against you in court.
* If you are not a U.S. citizen and an mitigation agent asks for your papers, you are required to present them if you have the with you. If you don't have them tell the officer you want to remain silent or that you want to consult a lawyer before answering any questions.
* You have the right to say no if an immigration agent asks if they can search you. Agents do not have the right to search you or your belonging without your consent or probable cause.
* In many states, you are required by law to identify yourself to law enforcement officers if you are stopped on suspicion of a crime or a traffic violation, but you don't have to answer questions about your immigration status.
* customs officers can ask you about your immigration status when entering or leaving the country. If you are a lawful permanent resident, you must answer questions to establish your identity and residency but that; sit, although refusal to answer other questions may delay your entry into the country. If you are a non-citizen via holder, you may be denied entry into the U.S. if you refuse to answer officers' questions.

What is a judicial warrant?

..... A judicial warrant is a warrant singed by a judge with "U.S., District Court" or a state court listed at the top. Other warrant, such as a depredation warrant, do not allow entry without consent.

What do I do if I'm stopped by police or ICE?

..... First, stay calm and don't run, argue, resist, or obstruct the agent or officer, even if you believe your rights are being violated. keep your hands clearly visible and nonthreatening. Don't lie or provide fake documents.
* Say you wish to remain silent and ask for a lawyer immediately. Don't say anything else or sign anything, and do not make any decisions without a lawyer.
* If you have been arrested by police, you have there right to make a local phone call. Police cannot listen in if you call a lawyer.
* If you have been detained by ICE, you have the right to contact your consulate or have an officer notify the consulate of your detention.
* Don't discuss your mitigation status with anyone but your lawyer. If you are visited by an immigration agent while in jail, do not answer questions or sign anything before talking to a lawyer. Read all papers fully and ask for an interpreter if you need one.

What do you do if you believe your rights were violated?

* Write down everything you remember, including offers; badges and patrol car numbers a, the agencies they were from and any other details.
* If you're injured, seek medical attention and take pictures of your injuries.
* File a written complaint with the agency's internal affairs division or civilian complaint board.

If police or ICE come to my home, what do I do?

Keep the door closed and speak to them through it. Remember, you have the right to remain silent, even if they have a warrant, and you do not have to let them inside unless they have the right kind of warrant. The ACLU advises:
*Ask who they are and what they're there for.
* Ask to see identification through a window or peephole.
* Ask if they have a warrant singed by a judge. If so, ask them to slide it under the door or hold it up to a window for you to read.
* Don't lie or provide false documents. Don't sign anything without a lawyer.
* don't open your door unless ICE has a judicial search or arrest warrant naming a person in your resident and/or areas to be searched at your address. a warrant of removal/deportation (Form I-205) does not allow officers to enter a home without consent (unless you are on probation with a search condition). If they do not have a judicial warrant keep the door closed and say. "I do not consent to your entry."
* If agents or police force their way in, do not resist. If you wish to exercise your rights, state: "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."
* If you are arrested and you currently have an mitigation case underway and are denied release on bond, ask for a bond hearing before an immigration judge.

Can I challenge a deportation order?

..... You can challenge a deportation order unless you waive your right to a hearing, sign a Stipulated Removal Order" or take "voluntary deportation." Again do not sing anything without having a lawyer go over it first.
* If you are told that you do not have the right to see an immigration judge, talk to a lawyer immediately. There are some cases in which a person might not have a right to see an immigration judge, but even if you are told that's the case for your immigration officers will not aways know or tell you about exceptions that might apply.
* If you fear persecution or torture in your home country, tell an officer and contact a lawyer immediately. you have additional rights if you have this fear.

Am I entitled to a lawyer if ICE arrests me?

..... If you are arrested by police, you have the right to a government-appointed lawyer and you should ask for one immediately if you do not already have one.
..... But if you are detained by ICE or Border Patrol, you have the right to hire a lawyer, but the government does not have to provide one for you. you can ask for a list.
..... You have the right to call a lawyer or your family, and you have the right to be visited by a lawyer while in detention and to have your lawyer with you at any hearing before an immigration judge.

How can I find an mitigation lawyer?

..... The Immigration advocates Network provides a list of organization across the U.S. that help migrant,s refugees and other access legal, health and social services. You can narrow the list down be services, what languages they speak, ZIP code and more.
.... Its website is immigrationadvocats.org .

What do I do if ICE comes to my job?

.... ICE agents may enter public areas of your workplace, just like anyone else, but they do not have the authority to stop, question or arrest just anyone, according to the National Immigration Law Center, and they may not enter private areas without the permission of your employer or a judicial warrant.* Stay calm. do not run for the exits, which could give ICE agents a legal reason to arrest you.
* employers are not required to say if an employee is working that day, or take them to that person.
* Stay silent and ask for an attorney.
..... The executive order allowing arrest at schools, hospitals and churches does not allow them entry to private areas without a judicial warrant.

How can I find someone who has been detained by ICE?

..... You can use the ICE Online Locator System and seas by name, country of birth and birth date, or by the person's mitigation number. It will be a 9-digit number starting with A; you can find it on correspondences from the Department of Homeland Security or the executive Office for Immigration Review.
..... If that doesn't work, contact an ICE enforcemnt and REmoval Operaiton field office. Or if you know where they are being held, contact the immigration detention facility directly.
..... To check the status of an immigration court case, use the automated case information system Online or call 1-800-898-7180.

Can I be readmitted to the U.s. if I am deported?

..... A non-citizen who has been deported form the U.S. is banned from reentry for a period of years, up to 20 if deported in connection to conviction for an aggravated felony.
.... You can apply for readmission to the U.S. after that time.
..... If you are a U.S. citizen or have a legal right to be here and get deported anyway, contact the U.S. embassy in the country you ave been deported to. Bring your documentation or make sure you have access to it. You may also be able to file a civil rights claim against the government.

How can I find help?

..... The ACLU suggest contacting one of these organization for resources and assistance:

* American Immigration Lawyers Association (help finding a lawyer): aila.org
* American for Immigrant Justice (various legal issues): 305-573-1106, extension 1060 or aijustice.org
* ASISTA (advice for immigrant survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault): 860-758-0733 or asistahelp.org
* Center for Immigrant Advancement (wide variety of legal help): 786-346-3828 or 305-416-7902 or cimausa.org
* Church World Service (helps refugee resettlement, urban refugees, LGBTQ+ refugees): 800-297-1516 or 574-264-3102 or cwsglobal.org
* Immigration equality (helps LGBTQ+ and HIV-positve individuals in the immigration system): 212-714-2904 or immigrationequality.org

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