Emergency resources
Numbers to call, and what your rights are. These rights apply regardless of immigration status.
Who to call
National Immigration Legal Services
Free legal screening and referrals for immigration cases
- Hours:
- Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm ET
- Languages:
- English, Spanish
ICE Detainee Helpline
Help for people detained by ICE, report abuse or conditions
- Hours:
- 24/7 (automated), Live M-F 9am-5pm ET
- Languages:
- English, Spanish
ACLU Immigrants' Rights
Report civil liberties violations, legal assistance referrals
- Hours:
- Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm ET
- Languages:
- English
National Immigrant Justice Center
Legal services for immigrants, asylum seekers, and trafficking victims
- Hours:
- Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm CT
- Languages:
- English, Spanish
United We Dream
Immigrant youth support, DACA assistance, rapid response
- Hours:
- Mon-Fri, 9am-6pm ET
- Languages:
- English, Spanish
RAICES
Legal services for refugees and immigrant communities in Texas and beyond
- Hours:
- Mon-Fri, 8:30am-5pm CT
- Languages:
- English, Spanish
National Domestic Violence Hotline
Confidential support for domestic violence victims including immigrants
- Hours:
- 24/7
- Languages:
- English, Spanish, 200+ languages via interpreters
USCIS Customer Service
Immigration benefits, case status, and general USCIS inquiries
- Hours:
- Mon-Fri, 8am-8pm ET
- Languages:
- English, Spanish
National Human Trafficking Hotline
Report trafficking, get help, T-visa assistance referrals
- Hours:
- 24/7
- Languages:
- English, Spanish, 200+ languages via interpreters
FBI Tips
Report hate crimes, civil rights violations, or threats
- Hours:
- 24/7
- Languages:
- English
Your rights
These apply to everyone in the United States, whatever your status.
If ICE Comes to Your Home
Immigration agents (ICE) are at your door. You have constitutional rights regardless of your immigration status.
- You have the right to remain silent
- You do not have to open the door
- You have the right to speak to a lawyer
- You can ask to see a judicial warrant signed by a judge
- Agents cannot enter without a valid judicial warrant or your consent
What to do
- Keep the door closed and locked
- Ask to see a warrant through the window or slipped under the door
- Verify it is a judicial warrant signed by a judge (not an ICE administrative warrant)
- Say: "I am exercising my right to remain silent"
- Say: "I do not consent to your entry"
- Record the encounter if possible
- Call your attorney or legal aid immediately
- Memorize your emergency contacts
What not to do
- Do NOT open the door unless shown a valid judicial warrant
- Do NOT sign any documents
- Do NOT answer questions about your immigration status
- Do NOT provide false documents
- Do NOT run or resist physically
- Do NOT lie about your name if asked
Fourth Amendment - Protection against unreasonable searches and seizures
If Stopped by Police
You are stopped by police on the street or while driving. You have rights whether you are a citizen or not.
- You have the right to remain silent
- You can refuse consent to a search of your belongings or car
- You have the right to ask if you are free to leave
- If arrested, you have the right to an attorney
- You do not have to answer questions about your immigration status
What to do
- Stay calm and keep your hands visible
- Provide your name if asked (required in some states)
- Ask: "Am I free to leave?"
- Say: "I am exercising my right to remain silent"
- Say: "I do not consent to a search"
- If driving, show license, registration, and insurance
- Remember officer badge numbers and patrol car numbers
What not to do
- Do NOT run or resist arrest
- Do NOT argue or make sudden movements
- Do NOT answer questions about where you were born or your immigration status
- Do NOT consent to a search
- Do NOT physically resist even if you believe the stop is unlawful
- Do NOT provide false identification
Fourth & Fifth Amendments - Right against unreasonable seizure, right to remain silent
If Detained by ICE
You have been taken into ICE custody. Even in detention, you have fundamental rights.
- You have the right to an attorney (but the government does not have to provide one)
- You have the right to a phone call
- You have the right to remain silent
- You have the right to a hearing before an immigration judge
- You have the right to contact your consulate
- You have the right to medical care
What to do
- Memorize your emergency contacts before any encounter
- Request to make a phone call immediately
- Call your attorney, family, or legal aid organization
- Ask for a list of free legal service providers
- Write down your A-number (alien registration number)
- Note the names of agents and location of detention
- Request an interpreter if you do not speak English well
- Request a bond hearing before an immigration judge
What not to do
- Do NOT sign any documents without an attorney reviewing them
- Do NOT agree to voluntary departure without legal advice
- Do NOT provide false information
- Do NOT discuss your case with other detainees
- Do NOT give up - you may have options for relief
- Do NOT answer questions without your attorney present
Fifth Amendment - Due process rights; Sixth Amendment - Right to counsel
If Stopped at Airport or Border
You are at an airport, border crossing, or within 100 miles of a U.S. border. Different rules apply here.
- Border agents can ask about citizenship and travel purpose
- They may inspect your belongings without a warrant
- U.S. citizens cannot be denied entry but may face delays
- Green card holders have the right to consult an attorney before answering questions
- You can refuse to unlock your phone (though there may be consequences for non-citizens)
What to do
- Carry your valid travel documents
- Answer basic questions about citizenship calmly
- Request to speak with a supervisor if concerned
- Ask for an interpreter if needed
- Keep a record of what happened during the encounter
- Contact your attorney if detained or if your documents are confiscated
- U.S. citizens: state "I am a U.S. citizen" and present your passport
What not to do
- Do NOT carry documents from countries you do not want to discuss
- Do NOT volunteer extra information beyond what is asked
- Do NOT physically resist inspection
- Do NOT make jokes about security or immigration
- Do NOT carry items that could raise suspicion
- Do NOT lie to border agents (it is a federal crime)
Border Search Exception to the Fourth Amendment; INA Section 235
At a Workplace Raid
ICE or law enforcement agents have arrived at your workplace. Stay calm - you have rights.
- You have the right to remain silent
- You do not have to show immigration documents to ICE
- Agents need a judicial warrant to enter non-public areas
- You can refuse to sign documents
- You have the right to call a lawyer
What to do
- Stay calm and do not panic
- Say: "I wish to remain silent and speak to a lawyer"
- If agents ask for documents, say: "I choose not to answer"
- Walk away calmly if you are not being detained (ask: "Am I free to leave?")
- Contact your attorney or legal aid immediately
- Write down badge numbers and details of the encounter after
- Notify your union representative if applicable
What not to do
- Do NOT run - it can be used against you
- Do NOT show fake documents (it is a crime)
- Do NOT sign anything, especially voluntary departure forms
- Do NOT answer questions about where you were born or your status
- Do NOT physically resist
- Do NOT use someone else's Social Security number or documents
Fourth & Fifth Amendments; ICE must have judicial warrant for non-public areas
If Your Rights Are Violated
You believe your constitutional rights were violated by law enforcement or immigration agents.
- You have the right to file a complaint
- You have the right to an attorney
- You have the right to document the violation
- You are protected from retaliation for filing complaints
- You can file complaints regardless of immigration status
What to do
- Write down everything that happened as soon as possible
- Include: date, time, location, agent names, badge numbers, and witnesses
- Take photos of any injuries or property damage
- Get contact information from witnesses
- File a complaint with the DHS Office of Inspector General: 1-800-323-8603
- File a complaint with the DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties
- Contact the ACLU or a local legal aid organization
- See a doctor if you were injured
What not to do
- Do NOT wait too long to document - write everything down immediately
- Do NOT confront agents about the violation in the moment
- Do NOT post on social media before consulting an attorney
- Do NOT destroy or alter any evidence
- Do NOT speak to the media without consulting a lawyer first
First Amendment - Right to petition; DHS complaint procedures
Protecting Your Children
If you are at risk of detention or deportation, having a plan for your children is essential.
- Your children have the right to attend school regardless of status (Plyler v. Doe)
- Schools cannot ask about immigration status
- Children born in the U.S. are U.S. citizens
- You have the right to arrange custody and guardianship
- Detained parents have the right to arrange care for their children
What to do
- Designate a trusted person who can care for your children
- Create a power of attorney for childcare (notarized)
- Keep copies of birth certificates, school records, and medical records accessible
- Inform your children's school about your emergency contact person
- Teach your children to memorize a trusted adult's phone number
- Prepare a folder with children's important documents
- Discuss a family emergency plan in an age-appropriate way
- Keep your children's passports or birth certificates with your trusted person
What not to do
- Do NOT leave children without a plan
- Do NOT assume schools will handle everything
- Do NOT leave important documents only in your possession
- Do NOT forget to update your plan regularly
- Do NOT discuss detailed plans where children could overhear and become anxious
Plyler v. Doe (1982); Fourteenth Amendment - Equal Protection; Family law protections
Prepare in advance
Doing these now means someone can act for you if you cannot.
In an immediate emergency call 911. Nothing here is legal advice — if you or someone you know has been detained, contact a licensed immigration attorney or one of the hotlines above as soon as you can.