Community Safety Guide: When ICE Shows Up

Prepared By MPAC’s 1st Amendment Center

Clear information for immigration enforcement encounters

WHY THIS GUIDE MATTERS

American Muslims and our allies are navigating heightened fear and increased immigration enforcement. Protecting each other and our neighbors regardless of their faith is a religious duty. We stand for justice, which means we stand for our non-muslim neighbors as well. If a family gets detained, we step up. If a neighbor (muslim or non-muslim) is afraid, we inform them and support them. This guide provides clear, accurate information to empower communities with knowledge, dignity, and steadfastness. Not to alarm, but to inform.

Your Rights Still Apply

No matter your immigration status, people living in the United States have constitutional rights. These protections apply at home, in public spaces, and during encounters with law enforcement.

You have the right to remain silent
You have the right to refuse consent to searches
You have the right to speak with a lawyer
You have the right to due process under the law

                You are not required to assist the government in building a case against you or anyone you care about. You are not required to explain your background, beliefs, place of birth, or immigration status.
            

If ICE Approaches You in Public

ICE officers may approach people in public places such as sidewalks, parking lots, workplaces, or transportation areas. These encounters can feel intimidating, particularly for communities who have faced surveillance, profiling, and discrimination.

If you are at a protest do not engage, keep a respectful distance between yourself and ICE. If approached, back away slowly.

"Am I being detained, or am I free to go?"

If you are told you are free to go, you may calmly walk away. If you are being detained, you still have the right to remain silent.

What You Don't Have to Do:

Answer questions about where you were born, your immigration status, or how you entered the United States
Discuss your religious beliefs or practices
Provide explanations or documents unless legally required

What You Can Say:

                "I choose to remain silent."

                "I want to speak to a lawyer."

                "I do not consent to a search."

Important — Do Not:

Make Contact, if they approach back away slowly
Run
Lie
Present false documents
Physically resist

Remaining calm and using your rights helps protect you and others.

If ICE Comes to Your Home:

You do not have to open your door
You may speak through the door or window and ask officers to slide the warrant under the door so you can review it
A valid judicial warrant must be:
- Signed by a judge (not an ICE officer)
- Include the correct name
- Include the correct address

Check the Warrant Carefully:

Administrative Warrant

ICE internal document
Does NOT authorize home entry

Judicial Warrant
Signed by a judge
Authorizes home entry

If they do not have a judicial warrant, you may calmly state:

"I do not consent to your entry."

You do not need to argue or explain further.

If ICE Enters Without Permission

If officers enter your home without a valid warrant:

Do not physically resist
Clearly state: "I do not consent to this search"
Take note of: Officer names, badge numbers, time of encounter, location
If safe to do so: Ask a family member or neighbor to record the interaction
As soon as possible: Contact an immigration attorney or trusted legal/civil rights organization