What to do if ICE comes to your door

If immigration officers (ICE) come to your home, you keep important rights. You do not need to open the door to talk to them, and you do not have to answer questions about your status or how you came to the United States. Knowing this in advance protects you and the people in your home.

You have the right to remain silent

You do not have to answer questions about where you were born, how you entered the country, or your immigration status. You can say, in English or Spanish: “I want to remain silent. I want to talk to a lawyer.” That is enough. You do not have to explain more.

ICE cannot enter your home without a warrant signed by a judge

An ICE administrative form (sometimes called a “warrant of removal” or I-200 / I-205) is not a judge-signed warrant. It does not give ICE permission to enter your home. Only a judicial warrant, signed by a judge, gives them that authority.

You can ask them to slide any paper under the door so you can read it. Look for the words “U.S. District Court” and a judge's signature. If those are not there, you do not have to open the door.

Do not sign anything you do not understand

Never sign anything ICE puts in front of you without first reading it and speaking with an attorney — especially a voluntary departure form. Signing it can waive important rights, including the right to see a judge.

If they enter or detain someone, write everything down

• Names and badge numbers of every officer present
• What time they arrived and what time they left
• What they said, what they asked, and what they took
• Whether they showed any paper, and what the paper looked like

Make a plan before anything happens

Keep an emergency contact list with the names and phone numbers of people who can help — including an immigration attorney. Keep a sealed envelope with copies of important documents in a safe place and tell someone you trust where it is. If you have children, designate a trusted guardian in writing.