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
Section titled “If Officers Come to Your Door”Step 1: Don’t Open the Door
Section titled “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
Section titled “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?
Step 3: If They Have a Valid Judicial Warrant
Section titled “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
Section titled “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
Section titled “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
Section titled “Preparing Your Home”Family Safety Plan
Section titled “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
Section titled “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
Section titled “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
Section titled “If Someone in Your Home is Taken”- Document everything: Names, badge numbers, time, what happened
- Do not interfere physically
- Contact your cell’s legal support immediately
- Request information: Where are they being taken? Under what charges?
- Contact an immigration attorney