With the White House pushing for mass deportations, fear and uncertainty are growing in the communities of San Diego and Imperial counties. Misinformation is everywhere, and knowing the law and your rights is crucial. Here are some resources to help you stay informed and prepared.
Resources
Everyone in the U.S., regardless of immigration status, has certain rights under the Constitution.
If ICE or the police approach you at your home, work or school, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your family. Here are some tips from the American Civil Liberties Union.
See more information at the ACLU’s website.
If ICE or the police approach you at your home, work or school, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your family. Here are some tips from the American Civil Liberties Union.
See more information at the ACLU’s website.
- What to do when the police or ICE arrive:
- Stay calm and keep the door closed. Opening the door does not give officers or agents permission to come inside, but it is safer to speak to them through the door.
- Ask if they are immigration agents and what they are there for.
- Ask the agent or officer to show you a badge or identification through the window or peephole.
- Ask if they have a warrant signed by a judge. If they say they do, ask them to slide it under the door or hold it up to a window so you can inspect it.
- Don’t lie or produce any false documents. Don’t sign anything without speaking with a lawyer first.
- 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. If police have such a warrant, they are legally allowed to enter the home of the person on the warrant if they believe that person is inside. But a warrant of removal/deportation (Form I-205) does not allow officers to enter a home without consent. If they don’t produce the appropriate warrant, keep the door closed. State: “I do not consent to your entry.”
- If agents force their way in, do not 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.”
- If you are on probation with a search condition, law enforcement is allowed to enter your home.
- What to do if you're arrested or detained
- If you are arrested by the police, you have the right to a government-appointed lawyer, and should ask for one immediately.
- If you are detained by ICE or Border Patrol, you have the right to hire a lawyer, but the government does not have to provide one for you. Ask for a list of free or low-cost alternatives.
The Immigrant Legal Resource Center's “red cards” can help people assert their rights in the instance that ICE agents go to their home or work. Print in English, Spanish and 17 other languages.
Some local small businesses in are donating Friday proceeds to support immigration advocacy groups
MORE STORIES
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With immigration arrests increasing, San Diego is bracing for an even bigger crackdown. -
Since President Donald Trump was sworn in, nearly 5,000 people have been arrested by ICE in San Diego and Imperial counties. -
The San Diego County Board of Supervisors approved the creation of a pollution crisis chief position and has begun recruiting. -
The California Senate passed a bill that would make it easier to sue federal officers over civil rights violations. Recent shootings of civilians by immigration agents in Minnesota lent urgency to the measure, one of several targeting ICE. -
The ordinance "supports efforts to ensure that county resources are not used for immigration raids or to target individuals based on protected characteristics," Board Chair Terra Lawson-Remer's office stated. -
The move follows two fatal shootings in the city by federal agents, including Saturday's killing of Alex Pretti by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent, the latest incident to spark rampant criticism of ICE tactics. -
Hagop Chirinian was detained after accidentally wandering onto a Camp Pendleton beach. A federal judge said ICE violated his constitutional rights by detaining him. -
More than half of California’s Democratic legislative caucus called for a government shutdown and introduced bills to hold federal agents accountable -
San Diego’s elected officials renew calls to impeach Kristi Noem. -
The order was issued by Board Chair Terra Lawson-Remer after what she called "the tragic deaths of Renée Good and Alex Jeffrey Pretti, resulting from recent federal immigration enforcement actions in Minneapolis."
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