How to be a Supportive Neighbor and Ally to Immigrants
- Help your immigrant neighbors know their rights (see below).
- Accompany an immigrant to their ICE check in (know their rights ahead of time, as well as how to contact their lawyer/emergency contacts).
- Arrange with your neighbor that if unknown persons come to their door, they can call you and have you check out what the persons want. Help them watch out for ICE scams, such as "I just want to ask about a family member" so that the neighbor does not open their door without an appropriate warrant signed by a judge.
- If you witness an ICE action, stand at a safe distance and if possible record video of what is happening. Do not interfere with what the officers are doing, and do not hide the fact that you are recording.
- Legally, your recording may not be confiscated or deleted.
Whether or not you are able to record of the action, write down everything you remember including officers’ badge and patrol car numbers, which agency officers were from, how many officers were present, any use of weapons (including Tasers or batons) and any injuries suffered by the person being stopped. If you are able, give the detained person your name and contact information after the officers leave in the event they wish to file a complaint against the officers.
- Legally, your recording may not be confiscated or deleted.
What are your neighbor’s rights?
- You have the right not to allow an official to enter your home without a warrant.
- (A search warrant will specify the areas the official has the right to search. An arrest warrant will specify the name of the person they are looking for). You have the right to watch as they search. A legal search warrant must be signed by a judge, not just an ICE official.
- As an ally, you can be sure the warrant is what it is said to be (your neighbor may not read English) and can be present as support to help your neighbor remember their rights.
- You have the right to remain silent.
- It is your right to refuse to answer any question, but do not lie. You may choose to say nothing or you may need to say "I need to speak to my lawyer".
- It may be hard for your neighbor not to speak, or to ask to speak to their attorney. Your presence can help remind them of those rights.
- You have the right to speak to a lawyer before you answer any questions.
- You may tell the officer "I want to speak to a lawyer" in response to any question an officer asks you.
- Again, your neighbor may be frightened and may not remember to ask to speak to a lawyer.
- You have the right to ask why you have been stopped if an official steps you on the street.
- If stopped by any official on the street, ask why you were stopped. Tell the officer "I need to leave. Am I free to go?" If the officer says yes, you may calmly walk away. If the officer says no and states that you are under arrest, you may continue to answer their questions only with "I want to speak to a lawyer".
- If you are present and an ally, remind your neighbor to take these actions.
- You have the right NOT to tell an immigration officer where you were born or your immigration status.
- In some states you do have to give your name. You may tell the officer "I want to speak with a lawyer".
- You have the right NOT to sign any document without speaking to your lawyer.
- You may tell the officer "I want to speak to a lawyer".
- You have the right NOT to show an officer your papers or any immigration documents.
- If the officer asks for your papers, you may say "I want to speak to a lawyer".
- It may be hard for your neighbor not to comply with requests from authorities and you can be a good reminder that they may ask to speak to an attorney before sharing documents, signing papers, or answering questions.
You may report ICE actions to the ICE hotline at 515-996-0003 or to United We Dream at 844-363-1423.