At Home

Your home has the strongest legal protections. Officers generally cannot enter without a warrant signed by a judge.

If Officers Come to Your Door

Step 1: Don't Open the Door

You do not have to open the door. Speak through the closed door:

"Who are you and what do you want?"

Step 2: Ask to See the Warrant

If they claim to have a warrant:

"Please slip the warrant under the door."

Check the warrant carefully:

• Is it signed by a judge?
• Is your name or address on it?
• Is it an ICE administrative warrant or a judicial warrant?

ICE Administrative Warrants

ICE warrants (Form I-200 or I-205) are NOT signed by a judge. You do NOT have to open the door for these.

Only a judicial warrant signed by a judge requires you to open the door.

Step 3: If They Have a Valid Judicial Warrant

If they have a valid warrant signed by a judge with your name/address:

• You may need to let them in
• You can still remain silent
• Ask for an attorney immediately

Step 4: If They Do Not Have a Valid Warrant

If they don't have a judicial warrant, you can say:

"I do not consent to your entry. Please leave."

You can also say:

"I am exercising my right to remain silent."

If They Enter Anyway

Even if officers enter without proper authority:

• Do not resist physically — this can lead to additional charges
• State clearly: "I do not consent to this search"
• Remain silent — do not answer questions
• Remember badge numbers, names, what was taken
• Contact your legal support immediately

Preparing Your Home

Family Safety Plan

• Designate a trusted person outside your home to care for children
• Keep important documents with that person (birth certificates, passports, medical records)
• Make sure children know who to contact and what to do
• Create a code word to alert family that something is wrong

Document Storage

• Keep copies of important documents with trusted people
• Know where originals are located
• Consider a fireproof safe or safe deposit box

Emergency Contacts

Post these somewhere accessible:

• Immigration attorney phone number
• Your cell's legal contact
• Trusted family member
• Children's school/emergency contacts

If Someone in Your Home is Taken

1. Document everything: Names, badge numbers, time, what happened
2. Do not interfere physically
3. Contact your cell's legal support immediately
4. Request information: Where are they being taken? Under what charges?
5. Contact an immigration attorney

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