KNOW YOUR RIGHTS!
Updated March 2017
* The contents of this booklet do not constitute legal advice. Consult an attorney for legal advice.
Protect Yourself And Your Family During Immigration Raids
@CASAforAll@CASAforAll
This is to advise any la
w en
f
o
r
c
ement offi
c
er that I
cannot ans
w
er any questions (other than my name),
sign any pape
r
s, or
c
onsent to any sea
r
ch until I h
a
v
e
had the opportunity to speak with a l
a
w
ye
r.
Please let me kn
o
w if I am under ar
r
est or f
r
ee to
g
o. If I
am under ar
r
est please all
o
w me to ma
k
e a phone call
so that I can secu
r
e legal
c
ounsel.
Thank y
ou.
* The contents of this booklet do not constitute legal advice. Consult an attorney for legal advice.
IF YOU ARE STOPPED ON THE STREET OR IN A PUBLIC PLACE
Police or ICE agents may stop you in a public place and ask you questions. You do not have to
answer their questions.
If they do not have a warrant, the authorities MAY NOT arrest you unless they have
evidence that you have committed a crime or are not authorized in the United States.
Ask the ocer: “AM I BEING ARRESTED OR DETAINED?”
• If the ocer says “NO” ask the ocer if you may leave.
o When the ocer says “YES”, walk away slowly.
o Do not answer any questions.
• If the ocer says “YES” then you should:
o Give the ocer your Know Your Rights card
and exercise your RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT.
o Tell the ocer you want to SPEAK WITH AN
ATTORNEY
IMPORTANT!
In some states, but not in Maryland, it is a minor crime not
to provide your name when asked by a police ofcer.
NEVER provide the ocer with fake documents or with any type of foreign identication
(passport, consular ID, etc.). This may be used against you in future deportation proceedings.
NEVER lie to a police ocer or immigration ocer, because this can also be used against you.
Instead, remember to REMAIN SILENT.
pg. 1
* The contents of this booklet do not constitute legal advice. Consult an attorney for legal advice.
IF IMMIGRATION (OR THE POLICE) COME TO YOUR HOME
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO SEE A VALID WARRANT
1) Ask the ocer to slip the warrant under the door.
DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR!
If you open the door, this can be considered consent to a search, even if they don’t have a valid
warrant.
A warrant is a paper signed by a JUDGE giving the
ocer permission to enter your home. (see page 3)
It needs to say:
a. The areas that need to be searched; and/or
b. The individual(s) and/or objects to be seized
An administrative warrant issued by an immigration
ocial (including an immigration judge) is not a valid
warrant and DOES NOT grant anyone authority to en-
ter your home. (see page 4)
If the ocer enters your home without a valid warrant,
and without your permission, get the ocers’ badge
number(s) and say
“I DID NOT CONSENT TO THIS SEARCH.”
2) If the ocer has a valid warrant, signed by a judge:
You must allow them access to the areas of your home described in the warrant.
If they search areas not listed in the warrant, document this and get a receipt for any
property taken.
If they ask you or anyone in your family questions, assert your RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT and
follow the instructions for an encounter in a public space.
NEVER provide the ocer with fake documents or any document issued by a foreign country.
NEVER lie to the ocers.
EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT.
pg. 2
EXAMPLE OF A VALID WARRANT
SIGNED BY A JUDGE
pg. 3
* The contents of this booklet do not constitute legal advice. Consult an attorney for legal advice.
EXAMPLE OF A INVALID WARRANT
NOT SIGNED BY A JUDGE
pg. 4
* The contents of this booklet do not constitute legal advice. Consult an attorney for legal advice.
* The contents of this booklet do not constitute legal advice. Consult an attorney for legal advice.
IF YOU ARE STOPPED IN YOUR CAR
• Remain in the car. Put your hands on the steering wheel so that the ocer can see them.
• Ask who stopped you. Get the agency the ocer works for and their badge number.
If you are undocumented, DO NOT answer any questions about your immigration status.
YOU CAN REFUSE TO ANSWER QUESTIONS LIKE:
“Are you legal?”
“Do you have papers (or a green card)?”
“Where are you from?”
“Where were you born?”
• If you have a valid driver’s license and registration, give those to ocer.
NEVER provide the ocer with fake documents or any document issued by a foreign country.
If you give the police or ICE false documents:
o YOU CAN be charged and convicted with a federal crime.
o YOU WON’T be able to be released on bond
o YOU risk PERMANENT EXPULSION from the U.S., if the documents belong to a United States
citizen.
If the ocer asks a PASSENGER for identication:
1. They can refuse to provide ID
2. They can say:
• “I would prefer not to answer your questions here. If I am charged with a crime, I want
to speak with my attorney rst.”
• “I am simply a passenger. I do not wish to give my ID.”
The police will return to their car and check the name on your driver’s license in a national
database. This database includes criminal warrants from all over the U.S. and since 2002 it has
included deportation orders. If you have ever had contact with immigration in the past, you
might have a deportation order and not know it.
YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE A SEARCH OF YOUR CAR OR YOUR BODY
(UNLESS THEY HAVE A WARRANT OR CAUSE TO THINK YOU COMMITTED A CRIME)
pg. 5
* The contents of this booklet do not constitute legal advice. Consult an attorney for legal advice.
If the ocer gives you a ticket, make sure you pay it or appear in court (if required).
If the ocer indicates that you are being ARRESTED:
o Give the ocer your Know Your Rights card and exercise your RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT.
o Tell the ocer you want to SPEAK WITH AN ATTORNEY
o to ee o tffi to
1) Only drive if you have a valid driver’s license and always carry it with you.
2) Have your registration, insurance and car inspection up to date
3) Have proof of insurance and registration with you whenever you drive.
* If you reside in Maryland, you can obtain a license at any Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA)
oce. Visit http://mva.state.md.us to learn about the requirements of obtaining a license in Maryland.
IF YOU ARE STOPPED IN YOUR CAR
pg. 6
YOU HAVE THE SAME BASIC RIGHTS AT WORK AS YOU
DO IN A PUBLIC SPACE:
• You have the RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT
- DO NOT say anything about where you were born
• You have the right to REFUSE A SEARCH (unless they
have a warrant or cause to think you committed a crime)
• You have the RIGHT TO REQUEST AN ATTORNEY
IF IMMIGRATION (OR POLICE) COME TO YOUR WORKPLACE
* The contents of this booklet do not constitute legal advice. Consult an attorney for legal advice.
Immigration and the police can only enter non-public areas of your workplace with either a valid
warrant or permission from your employer. If possible, talk to your co-workers and your
employer about refusing to allow immigration access to your workplace.
If ICE agents do enter your workplace, stay calm. Do not run. This may be viewed as an
admission that you have something to hide.
IF THEY TELL YOU THAT YOU ARE UNDER ARREST OR BEING DETAINED,
GIVE THEM YOUR KNOW YOUR RIGHTS CARD.
NEVER provide the ocer with fake documents or any document issued by a foreign country.
NEVER lie to the ocers.
EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT!
pg. 7
* The contents of this booklet do not constitute legal advice. Consult an attorney for legal advice.
1. FIND OUT WHO ARRESTED YOU
Ask for the name and agency of the person
who arrested you. Get their badge number and
license plate which should be on their uniform
and car.
2. ASK TO SEE YOUR LAWYER
You always have the right to speak with a law-
yer. oenment offi m t to ntmte
you or trick you into signing. Don’t let yourself
be tricked! If you don’t have a lawyer yet, you
still have the right to obtain one.
In immigration cases, the government will NOT
give you a free lawyer.
3. ASSERT YOUR RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT
Do not give any information to the police or ICE
without talking to your lawyer rst.
4. DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING
Before consulting with your lawyer. You may be signing away your right to a hearing before an
immigration judge.
5. CONTACT LAWYER OR FAMILY MEMBER
You have the right to make a telephone call after you are arrested. Memorize the telephone
number of your attorney, family member, friend or union spokesperson, and contact him/her
immediately.
6. CONTACT YOUR CONSULATE
If you are a foreign national arrested in the U.S., you have the right to call your consulate or to
have the deportation ocer inform the consulate of your arrest. Memorize their phone number
or ask family member to call.
7. ASK FOR BOND
Even if immigration says you are not eligible. Bond is paying a certain amount of money to be
released from jail. In exchange, you then promise to return for your court date. You have to
show that you are not a ight risk or a danger to the community.
Also, get a copy of the “Notice to Appear,” a document that contains the immigration charges
against you.
IF YOU ARE ARRESTED BY IMMIGRATION, YOU SHOULD
pg. 8
* The contents of this booklet do not constitute legal advice. Consult an attorney for legal advice.
1. FIND OUT WHO ARRESTED YOU
Ask for the name and agency of the person
who arrested you. Get their badge number and
license plate which should be on their uniform
and car.
2. ASK TO SEE YOUR LAWYER
You always have the right to speak with a
lawyer. Government ocials may try to
intimidate you or trick you into signing. Don’t
let yourself be tricked! In criminal cases, if you
cannot aord an attorney, the government will
provide one for you.
3. ASSERT YOUR RIGHT TO REMAIN SILENT
Do not give any information to the police or ICE
without talking to your lawyer rst.
4. DO NOT SIGN ANYTHING
Before consulting with your lawyer.
5. CONTACT LAWYER OR FAMILY MEMBER
You have the right to make a telephone call after you are arrested. Memorize the telephone
number of your attorney, family member, friend or union spokesperson, and contact him/her
immediately.
6. ASK YOUR LAWYER TO HELP YOU GET RELEASED FROM CUSTODY
Depending on how serious the charges are, you may be released by promising to show up for
your next hearing, or you may be given bail. If you are given bail, you will have to pay some
money to be released from custody.
7. IF YOU ARE NOT A U.S. CITIZEN, MAKE SURE YOUR ATTORNEY CONSULTS WITH AN
IMMIGRATION ATTORNEY
Criminal cases can have serious immigration consequences. It is important that your attorney
develops a plan for your case with an immigration attorney before you pay bail or do anything
else on your case.
IMMIGRANT DETAINERS!
When you are in criminal custody, ICE may try to issue something called a “detainer” to stop
you from being released. This is a request for the jail to hold you for up to an extra 48 hours
(not including weekends and holidays). Some jails honor these detainers, some jails don’t,
and many only honor them in certain circumstances. You should tell your lawyer about your
immigration status and make sure you do not have a detainer before you are released from jail.
IF YOU ARE ARRESTED BY THE POLICE AND CHARGED WITH A CRIME
pg. 9
* The contents of this booklet do not constitute legal advice. Consult an attorney for legal advice.
DEVELOP A SAFETY PLAN
AT WORK
1. Talk to your coworkers. If possible, get them all to agree to remain silent if ICE comes to
your job.
2. Remember to remain calm and DO NOT RUN if ICE comes to your workplace. Remain silent
and, if they arrest you, tell them you want to talk to your lawyer.
3. If there is a union at your job, contact your union spokesperson to develop a plan for if
there is an immigration raid.
AT HOME
no t oment o o t o
o Carry a valid U.S. ID (like a driver’s license) if possible
o If you have a green card, carry it with you (or a copy of it)
o Carry a card with the contact information of your immigration attorney and/or union
representative.
o Carry a card, indicating that you wish to remain silent. A sample card is attached on the back.
e n to e o o m
eon nomton e e o m o tte en no o
o Immigration “A” number (if you have one). This is a 9 digit number that is used to identify
anyone who has had ever had contact with immigration. It may start with an “A”. It will be
on any immigration document you’ve ever received (like a court notice, a work permit or
other document).
o Exact Name
o Exact Date of Birth
o Country of Origin or citizenship (usually where you were born)
e
If you have children or elderly relatives, make
arrangements in advance for a family member or friend
to care for them if you are detained. Have the telephone
numbers of this relative or friend with you at all times
and make sure other people know of these plans. You
n e mte oe o ttone om o t
Finances
Make sure you designate individuals you trust to make
decisions for you if you are detained. They can help you
withdraw money for deportation expenses or pay a mort-
gage. Financial institutions may require you to execute
a power of attorney for this. Check with your bank or
nancial service provider.
pg. 10
IRS
Medical
Records
Insurance
passport
TPS
* The contents of this booklet do not constitute legal advice. Consult an attorney for legal advice.
Doctor
e oe o o o motnt oment
Make sure your family has copies of all your
important documents, including:
o Immigration Documents including records of any
immigration status you ever had, of any prior
lings with immigration or other immigration
related documents.
o Birth certicates for you and your children
o Marriage certicate
o Passports for you and your children
o Names and contact information for lawyers.
Include anyone who has ever represented you in
the past, and a list of lawyers who might be able
to help defend you in immigration court.
o Any other important papers (deed to your house,
etc.)
PLACE THESE DOCUMENTS IN A SECURE, EASY TO FIND LOCATION.
e e o m no o to n o
If they have all of your personal information, they can go to the ICE Locator website and nd out
where you are being detained: www.locator.ice.gov or (if they were detained in Maryland) you
can also try to call the Baltimore eld oce at 410-637-4000.
5. Save money to pay for an attorney and cover other expenses
You have a right to an attorney to help defend you in your immigration case, but unlike in a
criminal case, the government will not provide you one for free. Your family may also need to
cover expenses while you’re in detention, since you will not be able to work.
6. Find an immigration attorney
Keep a list of organizations and private attorneys who might be able to help you with your
immigration case. CASA has a referral list we can provide you with, or you use one of these
websites to search for immigration attorneys and organizations:
CASA
301-431-4185
www.wearecasas.org
Immigration Advocates Network
mmton e ee eto
https://www.immigrationadvocates.org/nonprot/legaldirectory
American Immigration Lawyers Association
http://www.ailalawyer.org/
DEVELOP A SAFETY PLAN
pg. 11
* The contents of this booklet do not constitute legal advice. Consult an attorney for legal advice.
This section is intended to help you make a plan in case you are detained by immigration
ocials. None of the information in this guide is intended as legal advice. We recommend
you consult with an attorney to develop a more detailed plan for the security of your family
and your nances.
The Limited Power of Attorney form included herein is ment on to ee n eme and
does not substitute for a permanent child custody arrangement. CASA recommends that you
consult with a family law attorney to develop a plan that works for your family.
FAMILY SAFETY PLAN
pg. 12
Birth certicate
Copy of consular ID
Copy of passport
Copy of any other form of ID
Educational degrees
Marriage license (if applicable)
Birth certicate(s) of your
children with your name listed
Children’s passports
Children’s medical records
Emergency numbers and
important contact information
Power of Attorney
Any other documents you want
to be able to quickly nd
Your house or property
paperwork (leases, rent
payment receipts)
List of all properties you lived in
while in the U.S.
SAFETY PLAN CHECK LIST
Military paperwork
Business paperwork
Work paychecks
Medical records
Criminal records
Immigration record
Visa, work permit, A#,
deportation order, ICE paperwork
Legal paperwork from lawyers
you have worked with previously
Police paperwork proving you
were the victim of a crime
Paperwork proving you are the
witness of a crime in the United
States and are cooperating in an
investigation
Paperwork of a pending civil
rights complaint
Collect and Maintain a binder of the following documents:
* The contents of this booklet do not constitute legal advice. Consult an attorney for legal advice.
CHILDREN’S INFORMATION
Complete this for each of your children
CHILD’S NAME
Date of Birth
Child’s Cell Phone Number
SCHOOL INFORMATION
School Name
School Address
School Phone Number
Teacher’s Name
Classroom Number
Afterschool Program Name
Afterschool Program Phone Number
MEDICAL INFORMATION
Allergies
Medical Conditions
Medications
Health Insurance Information
Doctor’s Name
Doctor’s Phone Number
Doctor’s Address
pg. 13
CHILD’S NAME
Date of Birth
Child’s Cell Phone Number
SCHOOL INFORMATION
School Name
School Address
School Phone Number
Teacher’s Name
Classroom Number
Afterschool Program Name
Afterschool Program Phone Number
MEDICAL INFORMATION
Allergies
Medical Conditions
Medications
Health Insurance Information
Doctor’s Name
Doctor’s Phone Number
Doctor’s Address
* The contents of this booklet do not constitute legal advice. Consult an attorney for legal advice.
EMERGENCY NUMBERS AND CONTACT INFORMATION
pg. 14
EMERGENCY NUMBERS
Immediate Emergency
911
Police Department
Fire Department
Poison Control
FAMILY CONTACTS
Mother (or guardian)
Cell Phone Number
Home Phone Number
Work Name
Work Phone Number
Work Address
Father (or guardian)
Cell Phone Number
Home Phone Number
Work Name
Work Phone Number
Work Address
Other Emergency Contact
Relationship
Cell Phone Number
Home Phone Number
Other Emergency Contact
Relationship
Cell Phone Number
Home Phone Number
DOCTOR
Phone Number
Health Insurance Company
Policy Number
PEDIATRICIAN
Phone Number
Health Insurance Company
Policy Number
DENTIST
Phone Number
Dental Insurance Company
Policy Number
CAR MAKE/MODEL
License Plate Number
Car Insurance Company
Insurance Policy Number
Phone Number
CONSULATE
Address
Phone Number
ATTORNEY/NONPROFIT LEGAL SERVICES
Address
Phone Number
* The contents of this booklet do not constitute legal advice. Consult an attorney for legal advice.pg. 15
MISCELLANEOUS CONTACTS
NOTES
pg. 18
* The contents of this booklet do not constitute legal advice. Consult an attorney for legal advice.
* The contents of this booklet do not constitute legal advice. Consult an attorney for legal advice.
Present the following card to immigration or the police if you are arrested in order to
exercise your right to remain silent and to request an attorney.
ee mte ee ee to te ooton o
CASA
Detention Watch Network
National Immigration Project of the National Lawyer’s Guild
Special thanks to Julie Dahlstrom of the National Immigration Project, Juan Carlos Ruiz of National
Community Capacity Consultants, and Paromitah Shah for their work in developing the contents of these
materials.
Dedicated to the memory of Juan Carlos Ruiz who inspired and
helped to develop this document.
ot n o etooo
CASA
tton
German Zepeda
For more infromation visit: www.wearecasa.org
Updated 2017
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS CARD
