What to Do If You Are Stopped by ICE

What to Do

From the website: aclu-md.org

If you are NOT a U.S. citizen and are stopped or questioned by the police or ICE, you should: Remain silent. Remain calm. Say “no” when asked to search. Never show false documents. Never lie about being a U.S. citizen. You DO NOT have to answer questions about your immigration status, where you were born or how you entered the country.

AT YOUR HOME

If ICE or the police come to your home:

• Stay calm.
• Do not open the door and do not invite them into your home
• If they have a warrant for your arrest, ask them to show it to you through the peephole or slip it under the door.
• An ICE Warrant (Form 1-200) does NOT give them permission to enter your home. They must show a Judicial Warrant signed by a judge.
• You have the right to remain silent.
• Do not lie and do not show false documents (driver’s license, social security card, or immigration paperwork).

IN A CAR

If you are pulled over while driving or as a passenger, pull over safely and quickly. Turn off the engine, turn on the internal light, and open the window enough to speak with officers.

• Upon request, give the police your driver’s license, registration, and proof of insurance. If you do not have one of these, do not give false documents.
• Do not give the officer permission to search your car.
• If they search your car after you tell them “no,” do not resist.
• Do not answer questions about your immigration status.
• If they are the police, you should ask for their name and badge number and write it down.
• If they are ICE and ask you for a green card or proof of status, if you have it, you must show it to the officer. If you do not, remain silent.