Know Your Rights

Know Your Rights: Immigrant Rights

In this moment it is especially important that immigrant communities are informed about our rights and how to defend them. You can join a community organization where you live, and if you haven’t signed up to receive updates and get involved with the National Domestic Workers Alliance, you can sign up here.

Click on a topic to learn more about your rights as an immigrant:

• What do I do if I encounter ICE in the community?

• How do I create a family preparedness plan?

• How to prepare in case of an immigration raid or arrest

• How to find a loved one after a U.S. immigration arrest

• How do I get legal help for my immigration case?

• Immigration Eligibility Issues: Key factors that can affect your application

• What you should know about the new Registration Requirements

What do I do if I encounter ICE in the community?

There has been an increase in ICE activity in stores, workplaces, on the street and in other public places. Click here to learn what to do if you encounter ICE in public or see the graphic below for tips if ICE comes to your workplace.

Everyone in the U.S., regardless of immigration status, has certain Constitutional rights. If immigration officers (ICE) come to your workplace, they must have a valid search warrant or the consent of your employer to enter non-public areas. Save this post and send it to your coworkers to ensure you all know your rights.

How do I create a family preparedness plan?

If you are a parent you can create an emergency plan to protect your children in case of a detention or deportation.

• Decide who will take care of your children if you are unable to. Memorize this person’s phone number.
• Talk with your children about who will care for them in case of an emergency and who is allowed to pick them up from school.
• Keep all documents for yourself and your children in a safe place, along with a list of important information about your children (allergies, medical conditions) and important contacts (school, doctors, an attorney).
• Inform your children’s school who is authorized to pick them up from school in your place.
• Get a passport for your children. In some consulates you can register the birth of any children born in the US in case you need to return with them to your birth country.

You can also fill out and sign a power of attorney. This is a document that you use to authorize someone trusted to make financial, legal and childcare related decisions in your absence. It is a temporary authorization and does not require you to give up your parental rights. An attorney or legal services organization can advise you on how to create one.

Many banks, credit unions, shipping stores (United States Post Office, UPS, FedEx etc.), local government offices, law firms, tax preparer or accountant offices, auto tag and license service centers, and public libraries may offer notary services.

This guide on creating a Family Preparedness Plan from the Immigrant Legal Resource Center, has examples of relevant documents.

Learn more about your immigrant rights.
Read about your labor rights as a domestic worker.

How to prepare in case of an immigration raid or arrest

Everyone in the U.S. has rights, no matter where they are from or their immigration status. These rights are in the U.S. Constitution, which helps protect us from unfair treatment by the police or government. It’s important to know your rights, like the right to stay quiet, the right to talk to a lawyer, and what to do if the police or immigration agents come to your home or stop you on the street.

In case of an immigration raid, detention or attempted arrest:

• Remain calm and think before you talk or act.
• You do not have to answer questions about your legal status, where you were born, or how you came to the U.S.  You can tell the officer, “I have the right to remain silent.”
• You can ask to talk to a lawyer before you answer any questions. You can tell the officer, “I want to speak to a lawyer first.”
  
• You can refuse to let them search you or your home. If they come to your house, they need a “warrant,” which is a paper signed by a judge. Do not open your door. You can ask to see the warrant through your peephole or under the door. You do not have to let them in.

  What does a legal warrant look like?

  

  Know what a legal warrant looks like. The top image shows a legal judicial warrant with the information required for a legal search.

  The bottom image is an immigration order, which ICE often tries to use, but if you know your rights, you know that this type of warrant does not have enough information for a legal search.

  SOURCE: waisn.org

• Do not sign anything you don’t understand. Wait until you talk to a lawyer. Don’t let anyone make you sign papers out of fear.

To be prepared for a raid or arrest:

• Know your rights: You have the right to stay quiet, to ask for a lawyer, and to ask to see a warrant.
• Carry a Know-Your-Rights card with you. This card can help you show the police or immigration officers that you know your rights.
• Make an emergency plan for your family: Know important phone numbers (like a lawyer or emergency contact), make sure there is someone to take care of your children if you are taken, and keep important papers in a safe place at home.
• Keep your ID safe: Know which identification papers you should carry. Don’t carry fake IDs or documents from other countries, because that could make things worse.
• Make sure your family can find you if you are taken. They can use the ICE detainee locator to find where you are. It helps if they know your A-number (if you have one).

It may be stressful to think about facing immigration raids or detentions. Practicing somatic centering can help you stay grounded and connected to your strength in moments of high stress. Even a simple breathing or centering practice can help you return to yourself and make clearer decisions in the moment. Watch our video for more tips on centering.

For more information about your rights and what might happen in an immigration raid, arrest, or detention, you can check out the Immigrant Defense Project‘s resources.

Learn more about your immigrant rights.
Read about your labor rights as a domestic worker.

How to find a loved one after a U.S. immigration arrest

It can be hard and scary to find someone you care about after they are arrested for immigration reasons. The government keeps people in many different jails and prisons, sometimes far from their family and lawyers.

This guide will help you look for someone who was taken by immigration officers and may be facing deportation.

How Do I Know What Government Agency is Detaining My Loved One?

The government has different offices that deal with immigration. If someone you care about was arrested and you think they may be deported, it helps to know which government office might be holding or detaining them.

Agencies:

• Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, is the part of the government that arrests and holds people if arrested inside the United States for immigration reasons. ICE uses many different places to hold people, including county jails, private prisons, and some detention centers run by the government.
• Customs and Border Protection, or CBP, is the part of the government that stops and arrests people near the U.S. borders. People held by CBP after trying to cross the border are often moved to ICE custody after a few days but may spend time in CBP custody.
• The Bureau of Prisons, or BOP, is the part of the government that runs federal prisons for people who are charged with or found guilty of breaking federal criminal laws. If someone is charged with an immigration-related federal crime, like coming into or reentering the U.S. without permission, they are probably in a BOP prison. ICE has also started using some BOP prisons to hold people who have a deportation case or are waiting for deportation, even if they don’t have criminal charges.
• Military Bases, the Trump administration has started using Guantanamo Bay military base in Cuba to hold immigrants and the administration has said they would like to expand onto new military bases for short-term detention.

Finding Someone Detained in the U.S.

Follow these steps to try to figure out where your loved one is being held.

1. Start with the Online Detainee Locator
   Many people arrested by ICE can be found using ICE’s Online Detainee Locator System. It can take more than a day for someone’s name to show up in the system. People held by CBP should also show up there after 48 hours in custody. There are two ways to look for someone on the Locator. The first way is by searching their alien registration number, called an “A number,” and country of birth. The “A number” starts with the letter A and has 9 numbers. You can find it on papers from immigration, like court notices or receipts for applications or on a work permit. You can also search using the person’s name and country of birth.
   Warning: The locator only finds people if you put their name in exactly the same way it was entered by the government worker. You might need to try different versions of their name. If a government worker made a mistake when typing the name, or mixed up the first and last names, it can be harder to find the person.

   Exceptions:

   • Children under 18 who are arrested inside the U.S. do not show up in the online locator system. If a child is arrested with their parent(s) in the U.S., they may be held together in a family detention center. Adults held in family detention centers should show up in the online locator system, but their children do not. It is not uncommon for ICE to detain a male parent/guardian in a separate facility from their family.
   • If an immigrant minor is arrested by the police and then transferred to ICE, they may not appear in the locator. There is at least one juvenile jail where these minors may be sent.
   • If the person who was arrested has an immigration case based on being a victim, like a T or U visa, they usually won’t show up in the locator system.
   Tip: Take a screenshot or picture of any information you find when you search. This information might be useful information later, especially if the person gets moved to a different place. It’s also a good idea to keep a timeline of what happens after the person is arrested. This can help later in trying to get them released and/or with their legal defense.
2. Next, Try to Contact the ICE Field Office
   If you don’t get results from the locator system, try calling or emailing your local ICE Field Office. This office is also called the ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, or “ERO,” office. The locator might tell you to do this and give you the phone number. You can also find the phone number and email for each office online, here.

   Warning: When you call or email, don’t give more information than you need to. Only give the necessary A number or basic information, like name and country of birth, that you would use in the online locator.

   Tip #1: ICE Field Offices may not answer the phone. You might need to call many times each day. If you get someone on the phone or by email, ask for the name and contact information for the agent assigned to your loved one’s case. This will be very important if you want to help them try to get out of detention.

   Tip #2: Some places have a Community Relations Officer, or CRO, who might be able to help you if the Field Office doesn’t answer. You can find their email by going to this main page on the ICE website and choosing “Office of Partnership & Engagement” in the drop-down menu under “Office Type.”

3. Next, Try Checking the Bureau of Prisons
   In 2025, ICE began using prisons run by the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to hold people for immigration cases. People held there should show up on the ICE locator system. But if they don’t show up, and the arrest happened near a BOP facility, try calling that prison for information. You can find a list of phone numbers online here.More and more, the government is charging immigrants with federal crimes related to migration. In these cases, the person might be in a BOP prison and should have a federal public defender (free lawyer). You can search for them using the BOP’s online inmate locator system here.
4. Next, Reach out to the Consulates
   All immigrants in ICE jails have the right to contact their country’s consulate (an office representing another country). You can try contacting the consulate for more information about your loved one.
   Warning: If your loved one is asking for asylum in the U.S. or you believe they are afraid of their government, do not try calling the consulate.
5. If You Still Haven’t Found Them, Start Crossing Off Places They Aren’t in
   If you can’t find someone using the online locator systems, you might have to start calling each ICE field office and local jails. ICE shares a list (although it’s not always complete) of all the places they are using to hold people. This list is in an excel spreadsheet posted at the bottom of this web page, under the section called “Detention Statistics.” You can see the list of facilities in the tab that says “Facilities FY25,” and then narrow your search by looking at all the jails in your state or nearby states. Also, a group called Freedom for Immigrants has a helpful list of ICE detention centers with information on how to contact people being held there, online here. They also include groups that sometimes visit the facility.

   Tip #1: Each ICE Field Office is in charge of certain areas of the country. If someone is arrested in a state that doesn’t have an ICE detention facility, look to find which Field Office covers that state. ICE is likely to be holding the person in one of the other states that the Field Office covers. For example, the Atlanta Field Office covers Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

   Tip #2: ICE only uses certain jails to detain women. If you’re looking for a female loved one, you can use ICE’s excel sheet to eliminate jails that don’t hold women.

What If You are Worried the Government Sent Your Loved One Overseas?

Under the current Trump administration, ICE has arrested people and disappeared them to military bases and jails in other countries, like Guantanamo Bay in Cuba and a prison called the “Centro de Confinamiento del Terrorismo,” or CECOT, in El Salvador. The CECOT prison has horrific conditions, and the U.S. is claiming it doesn’t have the authority to release someone once they are jailed there.

SOURCE: National Immigration Law Center

Learn more about your immigrant rights.
Read about your labor rights as a domestic worker.

How do I get legal help for my immigration case?

You can get legal help for your case from a nonprofit organization or a private immigration lawyer. Nonprofits have lawyers and/or specialized staff called BIA reps who can help with immigration cases.

BIA representatives are trained and accredited professionals who are not attorneys but have been approved by the Department of Justice to provide immigration legal services based on their education and experience in immigration law. BIA reps must work for a non-profit organization providing immigration legal services to low-income clients.

Help from a nonprofit is free or low-cost for low-income people. If you use a private lawyer, you will have to pay the lawyer’s fee. To find a nonprofit near you, go to the Legal Help page on this site.

If you want a private lawyer who knows about immigration law go to the American Immigration Lawyers Association’s website.

Only lawyers and BIA accredited representatives (BIA reps) are qualified to give immigration legal advice. Notarios and “immigration consultants” are not qualified to give legal advice.  Notarios and bad lawyers can damage an immigration case and charge a lot of money for bad service or no service at all. Avoid fraud or bad legal service by finding out more about the person who will work on your case. 

• If a lawyer will help you, check the government list of lawyers who are being disciplined. Or you can ask where the lawyer is licensed to practice. Each state has a “bar association” that keeps a record of the lawyers and reports problems on the state bar website.
• If a BIA rep will help you, then go to the government list to check the person’s qualifications.

If a lawyer or BIA accredited representative (BIA rep) can take your case, s/he will ask you to sign an agreement that shows you will work together. Before you sign, ask for:

• A written estimate of the legal fees;
• A list of services s/he will provide for that fee;
• A list of things you need to do to help with your case; and
• An estimate of how long your case will take. 

Keep a copy of the documents you give the lawyer or BIA rep; and get a copy of the applications or other documents they file for you. Tell your lawyer or BIA rep if you change your address or phone number.

Learn more about your immigrant rights.
Read about your labor rights as a domestic worker.

Immigration Eligibility Issues: Key Factors That Can Affect Your Application

These are some of the factors that can affect your eligibility in the immigration process:

• Missing immigration court hearings;
• Showing fake documents to immigration or using someone else’s documents;
• Claiming to be a U.S. citizen or voting in the U.S.;
• Lies or bad information on an immigration application;
• Certain criminal convictions or actions;
• Coming back to the U.S. after being ordered to leave;
• Coming back to the U.S. after living here without permission;
• Travel outside the U.S. at the wrong time, for too long, or for the wrong reason;
• Helping someone sneak into the U.S.

A lawyer can help you understand if these problems affect your case or if there is a way to fix a problem. Go to How do I get legal help for my immigration case? to learn how to work with a lawyer or BIA rep, and avoid notarios and immigration consultants.

Go to How to prepare in case of an immigration raid or arrest to learn more about your rights and how to avoid immigration problems.

Learn more about your immigrant rights.
Read about your labor rights as a domestic worker.

What you should know about the new Registration Requirements

Effective April 11, 2025, a new registration requirement went into effect. Under Executive Order 14159, signed on January 20, 2025 by President Donald Trump, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will require immigrants who remain in the country for more than 30 days to complete a registration process.

There are currently several pending lawsuits challenging this new registration requirement. Before deciding whether you need to complete this registration process, you should consult with a trusted immigration lawyer to determine the best course of action for your individual case.

1. 1. What is registration?
      Registration is a process of notifying the government of your presence in the U.S. as a noncitizen. The requirement to “register” is in existing immigration laws but has been rarely used. President Trump announced they will use this requirement for all noncitizens.Currently, the law states that all noncitizens over age 14 who remain in the U.S. for 30 days or more are required to register. (The law instructs parents to register those that are under age 14.) The law requires people to register before the 30-day period ends. The government posted a new form on the USCIS website for those that are not yet registered to use, Form G-325R.
   2. Is there a new form?
      The government created the new Form G-325R. Form G-325R went into effect on April 11, 2025. It can only be accessed and submitted online. There is no other way to submit this form, and the Form is in English. A person must create an online account with USCIS to submit this form, which requires an email address. This form is only for those that are not already registered or cannot register by filing a different application. While the law seems to say people should register within the first 30 days of entering the U.S., the government has not given a deadline to comply with the new rule.Many people do not need to submit this form. See #4.
   3. If I register with the new form, will I have permission to stay in the U.S.?
      No. Registration does not grant permission to stay in the United States. Once you register, the government will know you are here. If you do not have permission to stay, DHS says they will take steps to deport you.
   4. Am I already registered?
      You might be! Many people that have had contact with immigration officials or submitted applications are already registered.The following documents count as registration:
      • A green card. If you are a permanent resident, you are registered.
      • A work permit, even if it is now expired. If you have an employment authorization card, for any reason, you are registered.
      • An I-94. If you got an I-94 document, or received an I-94 electronically, when you entered the United States, you are registered. This includes entries with parole or a visa. If you got an I-94 when you got status, such as asylee, or U nonimmigrant, you are registered.
      • An NTA. If you were issued a Notice to Appear in immigration court, you are registered. If you were issued an Order to Show cause (OSC) or a referral to the immigration judge, you are registered.
      • A Border Crossing Card.
      • A Landing Permit as a crewman.
      • If you have applied for lawful permanent residence or temporary residence you are registered, even if that application was denied. (Forms I-485, I-687, I-691, I-698, I-700)
      • If you are already registered, you do not need to register now. You do not need to turn in Form G-325R.
   5. I’m not already registered, do I register now?
      You should speak to an immigration attorney if you have questions. What is best for you will depend on your situation.You may already be registered and not know it.
      • Talk to an immigration attorney to determine if you are already registered.

      I am eligible for an immigration status or benefit.

      • Certain immigration documents count as registration. If you qualify for an immigration benefit, such as adjustment of status, you might want to apply for the benefit now, because it might count as registration. You can consult with a trusted legal services provider to find out. You can find a trusted legal services provider near you by searching here.

      I don’t qualify for an immigration benefit or status. I am undocumented.

      • If you are in the U.S. without immigration status, you might already have a document that counts for registration. If you are already in immigration court fighting your case, you are registered. For example, if the government gave you a document to appear in immigration court, you are registered. If you have an I-94 from entering the U.S., you are registered.

      You should speak to an immigration attorney about your situation before submitting the G-325R form online.

   6. What are the risks of registering?
      The registration form asks for your address, information about you, your family, and immigration status, among other things. If you have no immigration status, immigration enforcement will know you are in the U.S. and the government says they will take steps to deport you. You may be detained.The Form also requires information about whether you have committed any crimes. You may be charged with a crime based on the information you put on this form. This includes charges for illegal entry, criminal conduct such as use of controlled substances (including marijuana), and other crimes.
   7. Do I have a right to not answer certain questions?
      Yes, you have rights! The Fifth Amendment of the Constitution protects everyone in the U.S. from making statements that might incriminate them in a crime. Many people have a 5th Amendment right not to submit the online Form G-325R because the Form requires you to divulge criminal activity, including information about having entered the United States unlawfully. Presently, there is no method provided by USCIS to turn in the Form and leave these questions blank. Instead, questions about entry and criminal activities are required.
   8. What are the risks of not registering?
      If you do apply for an immigration benefit and have not registered, DHS could use a failure to register as a negative factor in deciding your case.If you do not register, the government can charge you with a misdemeanor crime if your failure to register was willful (that is, on purpose). This could result in a fine and/or imprisonment for up to 6 months.
   9. What should I do if an immigration officer stops me and asks for my documents?
      If you are out in public, a government official must have a reason to believe you are a noncitizen. They cannot just guess based on the color of your skin, your job, or where you are located. You have the right to remain silent. You can show the ICE officer a red card or say “I am exercising my right to stay silent, am I free to go?” If you are in your home, you have the right not to let ICE officers into your home and not to answer the door unless they show you a warrant signed by a judge.You can print a red card here and access more Know Your Rights tools at ilrc.org.
   10. I think I am already registered, what happens now?
       There may be other requirements you are required to fulfill with Immigration. Check with an attorney about your best next steps.

SOURCE: Immigrant Legal Resource Center

Learn more about your immigrant rights.
Read about your labor rights as a domestic worker.

Know Your Rights: Domestic Worker Labor Rights

The federal government and the states have laws to protect domestic workers. These laws protect against unfair, dangerous, or illegal working conditions. Workers can take steps to understand the laws and protect themselves.

Click on a topic to learn more about your rights as a domestic worker:

• How can I protect my labor rights as a domestic worker?

• How do labor laws protect me as a domestic worker?

• What if my employer calls or threatens to call immigration?

How can I protect my labor rights as a domestic worker?

• Have a written agreement about your job that explains the hours, duties, pay, time-off, and and other details about your work agreement. For an example agreement, go to our page on Fair Contracts for Domestic Work.
• Keep a written record of your hours, the kind of work that you do, and how much you are paid.  A record can help if you have a disagreement about your hours and pay.
• If you are a home care worker, there are rules about pay that depend on your hours and the kind of work you do.
• Write down problems or abuses when they happen. Sometimes written records can help you prove your case.

Learn more about your domestic worker labor rights.
Read about your rights as an immigrant.

How do labor laws protect me as a domestic worker?

• Most workers have a right to the minimum wage. The federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour, but your state might have a higher minimum wage. Click here for a map of state minimum wages. 
• Most workers also have a right to overtime pay. Overtime pay is usually 1.5 times your regular hourly wage when you work more than 40 hours in a week.
• Employers must follow rules on how much money they can take out of your pay for meals and housing, how you should be paid for sleep time, and more.
• Some states have passed laws that especially protect domestic workers. See a list of states where domestic workers have protected rights to find out if your state has special protections.
• There are rules to protect domestic workers who have employment visas. Click here to learn more.
• Sometimes an employer or boss who is treating the workers badly is also breaking the law. Click here to learn about possible immigration protections for workers who report unlawful activity.
• An employer cannot exploit a worker by forcing them to work without pay, treating them unfairly or abusing them, or coercing them into sex work. If you or someone you know is experiencing this, please reach out to the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 for assistance. A confidential counselor is available to answer your questions and provide support. Your safety and privacy are a priority.

Learn more about your rights as a domestic worker, and join together with other domestic workers fighting for rights, dignity, and respect, with the National Domestic Workers Alliance.

Learn more about your domestic worker labor rights.
Read about your rights as an immigrant.

What if my employer calls or threatens to call immigration?

• Workers have rights against employers who retaliate or punish them for fighting or speaking up about their worker rights. You may have protection if your employer threatens to call immigration because you are fighting for your worker rights. Check with an immigration lawyer or BIA accredited rep to find out if you have the right kind of case.
• If your employer is committing a crime, and you are the victim, you might qualify for a visa to stay in the U.S. Click here to learn more about visas for people who are victims of crimes at work.
• Know your rights if ICE, your employer, or others ask you questions about immigration. Click here to learn what to do in a raid or arrest.

Learn more about your domestic worker labor rights.
Read about your rights as an immigrant.

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