What if an immigration officer knocked on your door

Reports about raids against illegal immigrants forced defenders of the rights of immigrants to spread in social media information in several languages ​​about how illegal immigrants themselves should act in such cases.

It is reported USA Today.

If immigration officers ring the doorbell at your door, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) advises you not to open it unless authorities can present a warrant signed by a judge.

“Ask them to show you through the window or put them under the door,” the instructions say.

The absence of a warrant does not allow officers to enter the dwelling without the consent of residents who can find out through the door what the purpose of the officers' visit is and ask for an interpreter if necessary.

If there is no reason, ask the officers to leave the information outside and do not open the door.

• To enter your home, an immigration officer needs a warrant signed by a judge. Do not open the door if you have not shown such an order. If an employee wants to show you a warrant, he can attach it to the window or push it under the door. For the order to be valid, your name and address must be correctly indicated in it.
• You do not need to open the door to talk with an immigration agent. Once you open them, it will be more difficult to refuse to answer questions.

If officers break into your house - “do not resist and tell all tenants to be silent,” the ACLU rules say.

If you are arrested - "keep silent and do not sign anything until you talk to a lawyer."

In addition, the ACLU offers legal advice to illegal immigrants who have been raided.

Sometimes immigration officers deceive people about the purpose of their visit, only so that they open the door or sign a waiver. If you are being delayed by the immigration service or you are afraid that they may conduct raids in your area, this is what you can do, reports the portal Immigrationimpact:

• Create a plan of salvation
  • Remember the phone number of a friend, relative or lawyer who can be called in case of arrest.
  • If you are the guardian of children or other people, plan who and how will look after them if you are detained.
  • Keep important documents - birth certificates and immigration documents - in a safe place where a friend or relative can find them if necessary.
  • Make sure your loved ones know where to find you if you are detained by the immigration service. You can use online detainee search service Immigration and customs police. You can call local office Immigration and customs police. Make sure they have yours recorded alien registration numberif you have it.
  • You can call the Immigration Affairs Executive Committee (EOIR) on the hotline at numbers: 240-314-1500 or 1-800-898-7180 (toll-free) that work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to get information about the status of your business.
• Document information and report on raids and arrests.
  • If it is possible and it is safe, remove the raid or arrest on a photo or video. Also worth making notes about what happened.
  • Call Service United we dream to the hotline and report the raid: 1-844-363-1423.
  • Send text messages to 877877.
• Seek Legal Aid
  • You can find non-governmental organizations that provide low-cost legal services at www.immigrationlawhelp.org.
  • Immigration courts make lists of lawyers and organizations that provide free legal services: www.justice.gov/eoir/list-pro-bono-legal-service-providers-map.
  • The site www.adminrelief.org There is a search in which you can enter your index and get a list of all legal services in your area.
  • Immigration Lawyers can be found through the American Lawyers Association for Immigration Online Directory: www.ailalawyer.com.
  • The National Immigration Project of the National Lawyers Guild also has its own online specialist search tool: https://www.nationalimmigrationproject.org/find.html.
• Learn more about your rights.
  • Under the link read abouthow to prepare for a raid.
  • Read resources and rights booklets published by various organizations, such as American Friends of Society Service Committee.

If you are afraid that immigration officers may arrest you, tell the officer if you have children.

• If you are a parent or responsible custodian of a citizen or permanent resident of the United States who is not 18 years old, the immigration service can “Act on your own” and let you go.

Always have a valid proof of your immigration status with you.

• For example, if you have a work permit, carry it with you in case you need to show it to prove your identity.
• Do not carry documents issued by another country - for example, a passport. Such documents may be used against you during the deportation process.

Project Immigrant defensewhich offers legal information for immigrants and lawyers working with immigration cases, advises illegal immigrants to have a plan of what they will do if they and their family members are arrested.

All important documents, including passports, birth certificates, marriage certificates and medical records, must be collected and stored in a safe place.

It is important that neither you nor your family members give the ICE officers your passport, the organization says.

Do not lie to ICE officers, but remember that you have the right to remain silent, the leaflet says.

States where immigration officers raid.

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