Unfortunately, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has drastically changed its enforcement approaches over the past 12 months. ICE’s increasingly aggressive tactics have instilled fear in immigrant communities, including green card holders, naturalized U.S. citizens, and even natural-born U.S. citizens of diverse backgrounds.
This guide is intended to help you remain calm and de-escalate the situation if you are confronted by ICE.
If You Are Confronted by ICE on the Street or in a Public Place:
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Comply with basic safety-related requests from ICE agents (e.g., “Stop,” “Show me your hands”).
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Ask the ICE agent to identify themselves and show identification (they may refuse).
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Respond to the ICE agent’s questions (e.g., “Are you a citizen?” “What is your immigration status?”).
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Clearly state your immigration status (e.g., “I am a U.S. citizen,” or “I am in H-1B status”).
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Carry at least a clean photocopy of your immigration documents, if not the original, such as your naturalization certificate, green card, H1B approval notice, or other USCIS issued approval notice, passport, etc. Also keep a clear photo of your documents on your phone that you can access quickly.
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After the agent has reviewed your documents, ask politely if you are free to leave (e.g., “May I leave now?”).
If ICE Knocks on Your Door:
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Do not open the door immediately. Ask the agent to identify themselves and provide identification.
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Request to see their identification documents.
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Ask whether they have a judicial warrant, and ask to see it.
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Review the warrant carefully to confirm:
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It is a judicial warrant (signed by a judge),
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It lists your name or your address correctly.
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If the ICE agent has a valid judicial warrant, you must comply and open the door.
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If the ICE agent does not have a valid judicial warrant, you may state that you cannot open the door without one.
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ICE agents may become angry or make threats. Remain calm and polite, and explain that you will comply if they present a valid judicial warrant.
Please stay safe. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact Jared Leung at jleung@jclimmigration.com, or call our main office at 602-831-2329 to speak with one of our attorneys.