ICE are coming knocking. Here is what to do.
In America, today, the home of the New Colossus, millions of Americans will be living in fear of a knock on the door. Sadly that is not hyperbole.
Colossus under Trump is gone. Dawn raids are arriving.
The knock, it may not come today. It may come tonight. The people have work to do so, despite the fear they must try sleep well.
That knock may not come tomorrow. The greatest check on Trump’s authoritarian attacks on American values has been his own lack of competence. Still I implore everyone you must be prepared. Expect the knock on the door.
Just because you are a citizen do not assume they will not come knocking for you. ICE OFTEN arrest permanent citizens of the US "by mistake". It has taken 4 years for cases to be sorted. In the meantime you are losing your home because you are imprisoned.
The cruelty of the punishment, citizen or not, is the point. Between 2012 and 2018 ICE wrongly arrested 1480 citizens. ICE will not be any better now.
Know where your papers & passports are. Know the number of or how to contact an immigration lawyer. Know the number of a friend or family member who can help you, know where they are likely to take you. Can your friend or family member find your papers if needs be?
If you have a Latin American heritage it would be prudent to assume that yes indeed they are coming for you, citizen or not, so know where your passport & papers are.
America under Trump has become a “Papers Please” County.
The GOP Ice Raids are NOT about illegal immigration. The cruelty and the racism is the feature display for Trump's base.
Everyone living in the U.S. has certain basic rights under the U.S. Constitution—everyone, including people who are undocumented. That has not changed — do not let the media tell you otherwise.
This information is from the ACLU.
Don’t open the door. Opening the door does not give the agents permission to come inside, but it is safer to speak to ICE through the door.
Ask the agents what they are there for. If the agents don’t speak your language, ask for an interpreter.
If the agents want to enter, ask them if they have a warrant signed by a judge. If ICE agents do not have a warrant signed by a Judge, you may refuse to open the door or let them in. An administrative warrant of removal from immigration authorities is not enough. If they do not have the correct paperwork, be polite, ask them to leave the literature at the door.
If they say they have a warrant, ask them to slip the warrant under the door.
Look at the top and at the signature line to see if it was issued by a court and signed by a judge. Only a court/judge warrant is enough for entry into your premises. One issued by DHS or ICE and signed by a DHS or ICE employee is not.
An example of an order by a judge
An example of an order by ICE
Do not open your door unless ICE shows you a judicial search or arrest warrant naming a person in your residence and/or areas to be searched at your address.
In all other cases, keep the door closed. State: “I do not consent to your entry.”
If agents force their way in anyway, do not attempt to resist. If you wish to exercise your rights, state: “I do not consent to your entry or to your search of these premises. I am exercising my right to remain silent. I wish to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible.”
Everyone in the residence may also exercise the right to remain silent.
Do not lie or show false documents. Do not sign any papers without speaking to a lawyer. If you need more information, contact your local ACLU affiliate at aclu.org/affiliates