Know Your Rights If ICE Comes to Your Door
It can be a terrifying experience to have a knock at your door, and that knock comes from a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent. The critical thing to know is that even if you are an undocumented immigrant living in the country, you still have constitutional rights. You must know your rights to safeguard your and your family’s interests.
The following illustrates the rights you have in the United States:
- If ICE knocks on your door without a signed search warrant, you DO NOT have to open the door to them. Without a valid search warrant, the only legal way that ICE can come into your home is if you give them permission to. If ICE only has a deportation warrant, this is not a search warrant and, therefore, not grounds to come into your home.
- The way you can tell if an ICE officer has a search warrant is for them to show it to you. They can do this either by putting it up in a window for you to see or they can slide it under your door. When you examine the document that ICE is showing you, make sure that your name is correct, that your address is accurate, and that the warrant is signed by a judge. If any of these elements are missing or incorrect, you DO NOT have to open your door.
- Should you decide you want to talk to ICE, you can do so while still staying in your house. You may talk through the door or a window, or if you prefer, you can go outside of your house and talk with them. If you step outside, you may close the door to your home. And if you do talk to ICE, do not lie to them or give them any false documents.
- If you don’t want to speak to ICE, you don’t have to. You also do not have to answer their questions. If ICE is asking you questions and you choose to remain silent, that is your right. Tell ICE, “I choose to remain silent until I speak with my attorney.” If you do not speak English, then you should arm yourself with a know-your-rights card. Here, when an ICE agent is addressing you, you can take out your card and show them, which will also be a way to exert your right to remain silent.
- If ICE detains you or takes you into custody, you may call a lawyer. In Georgia, the Atlanta deportation defense attorneys at Shirazi Immigration Law, Inc. can help you. With extensive experience defending immigrants in deportation defense hearings, the legal team at Shirazi Immigration Law, Inc. knows how to get results and help immigrants secure the best possible outcomes for their situation.
Speak with an Atlanta Deportation Defense Attorney Today
For a consultation to discuss your needs and case, please call Shirazi Immigration Law, Inc. today at 404-523-3611. One of our Atlanta, GA, immigration lawyers is here for you and ready to help.
Source:
usa.gov/agencies/u-s-immigration-and-customs-enforcement
