Know Your Immigration Rights

I do not wish to speak with you, answer your questions, or sign or hand you any documents based on my 5th Amendment rights under the United States Constitution.

I do not give you permission to enter my home based on my 4th Amendment rights under the United States Constitution unless you have a warrant to enter, signed by a judge or magistrate with my name on it that you slide under the door. I do not give you permission to search any of my belongings based on my 4th Amendment rights.

I choose to exercise my constitutional rights.

What to Do if the Police, Immigration or Other Authorities Stop You.

You have the right to be free from unlawful searches and seizures.

You have rights as a pedestrian.

What to do if you are approached by the police or immigration agents on the street:

  1. You have the constitutional right to remain silent. You have the right to remain silent even if you are asked questions about your immigration status. They cannot arrest you without “probable cause” (a good reason to believe you have committed an offense). Always remember that you have the constitutional right to remain silent, regardless of your immigration status.
  2. It’s not a crime to refuse to answer questions, but refusing to answer might make the police suspicious about you.
  3. What to do if you are asked to identify yourself:
    -  If you have valid identification that does not reveal your immigration status, then show it.
    -  If you think your name or the documents in your possession will place you at risk for arrest, then say you choose to remain silent, and don’t show them anything until you speak with a lawyer. Presenting fraudulent documentation is a federal offense and will result in your arrest.
  4. If you are approached on the street by an immigration official, the FBI or police you must ask if you are free to go. Ask them, “Am I under arrest or am I free to go?” If they say that you are not being arrested, then you are free to walk away.
  5. If you are told that you are under arrest, then you have the right to ask why you are being arrested. Tell the police officer or immigration agent that you do not want to answer any questions until you speak with an attorney.
You have rights in your car.
What to do if the police, immigration or other officials stop you in your car.

  1. The officer must have “probable cause” (is a good reason that criminal activity or traffic violation is happening) to stop the car, but they may stop the car in a routine stop.
  2. You should never drive without a valid driver’s license.
  3. If you are driving and you are stopped, then you must show your driver’s license and proof of registration and insurance.
  4. You do not have to answer questions about your immigration status or any other questions. If asked, tell the officer you wish to remain silent.
  5. You do not have to allow the police to search your car unless they have probable cause (a good reason that there is criminal activity happening). If they ask, DO NOT let them search the car because they can legally search the car with your consent.
You have rights in your home.
What to do if immigration agents, the police or housing inspectors come to your house:

  1. Do not let anyone from the government (police, immigration or housing inspectors) in your house without a warrant (an official authorization).
  2. If there is a warrant, ASK TO SEE IT, but do not open the door.
  3. When you see the warrant make sure that your name and address are on the warrant.
  4. If there is a warrant from an immigration officer, then you have the right to not allow officers in your home. GO OUTSIDE to see the officers especially if there are other people in the house with immigration problems.
  5. If the officers do not have a warrant, then make it clear that you do not consent the search.
  6. If they enter your house without a warrant, then make it clear that you do not consent the search.
  7. ALWAYS get the names of the officers and their badge numbers if you can.
You have rights when you are at work.
What to do if immigration agents come to your place of work:

  1. Immigration officers are not allowed to check your work records or documents at your job without a warrant.
  2. If an immigration officer approaches you at work, you do not have to answer any questions. Tell the officer that you wish to remain silent and if the officer asks you for your papers, tell the officer that you wish to speak with your lawyer.
  3. If you are a member of a union, your union should let you know if immigration officials are coming to look for you.
You have the right to solicit for work.

  1. You have the right to talk about work or to look for work with a contractor or anyone else in a public space protected by the first amendment to the United States Constitution.
  2. You have the right to stand and gather on public property as long as you are obeying the law and not blocking street traffic or creating a safety problem for yourself, other pedestrians or drivers.
  3. You DO NOT have the same right to solicit work for on private property and could be arrested for trespassing, which would have criminal or financial penalties.
  4. Here are some tips for avoiding contact with law enforcement
  5. -  Keep the sidewalk clean of trash.
    -  Always leave space for passers-by on sidewalks.
    -  Be respectful of those around you.
    -  Make sure that you abide by all pedestrian laws, cross the street in designated areas and do not stand in the street or block traffic.
You have rights if you are detained by immigration authorities.
  1. Remember that you have the right to remain silent and do not have to answer any questions until you speak with an attorney.
  2. You have a right to an attorney, but the government will not pay for the attorney. The immigration officials must show you a list of free or low cost legal service.
  3. Do not sign any paper unless you have spoken with an attorney. Do not sign any paper you are unsure about the contents of the paper. You have a right to a translator.
  4. If you have not already been deported, you may have a right to a hearing before an immigration judge.
  5. If you have a right to a hearing, then you have a right to know the charges filed against you and you have a right to contest to these charges.
  6. You have the right to speak with your consulate.

En Español

Usted tiene derechos contitucionales.

-  NO ABRALA LA PUERTA SI UN AGENTE DEL SERVIVIO DE INMIGRACION ESTA TOCANDO A LA PUERTA.
-  NO CONTESTE NINGUNA PREGUNTA DELAGENTE DEL SERVICIO DE INMIGRACION SI EL TRADE HABLAR CON USTED. Usted tiene derecho a mantenerse callado. No tiene que dar su nombre al agente. Si esta en el trabajp, pregunte al agente si esta libre para salir y si el agente dice que si, vayase. Usted tiene derecho de hablar con un abagado.
-  ENTREGUE ESTA TARJETA AL AGENTE. NO ABRALA PUERTA.

Que hacer si la policia, inmigracion u otras autoridades lo detienen:

  1. Usted tiene el derecho constitucional de gudar silensio. Usted tiene derecho de guarder silencio. Usted riwnw wl derecho de gudar silencio aun si los interrogan sobre su estado migratorio. Usted so puede ser arrestado sin una “causa probable” (una buena razon de creer que usted a cometido un delito). Recuerde que usted tiene el derecho constitucional de gudar silencio, sin importer su estado migratorio.
  2. No es un delito negarse a contester prguntas, aunque el negarse puede causar que sospechen de usted.
  3. ?Que hacer si le piden identificacion?:
    -Si tiene una identificacion valida, que no revele su estado migratorio, presentela.
    - Si usted piensa que los documentos en su posesion lo pone en riesgo de ser detenido, usted puede elegir guarder silencio y negarse a presenter documentos sin haber hablado con un abagado. Presentar documentos falsos es un delito federal y podria causar su detencion.
  4. Si la policia, el FBI o un agente de inmigracion se le acerca en la calle es necerario que usted le pregunte si es libre de irse. Usted DEBE preguntar, “estoy siendo arrestado entonces usted esta libre de seguir caminando.
  5. Si le dicen que usted esta siendo detenido, entonces usted tiene el derecho de preguntar, “por que lo estan arrestando digale al official de la policia o al agente de inmagracion que usted no desea contester ninguna pregunta hasta no hablar con un abagado.
Usted tiene derechos en su coche.
  1. El official debe tener “causa probable” para su coche, aunque pueden parar su coche en una parade rutinaria.
  2. Usted nunca debe conducer un coche sin una licencia de conductor valadia.
  3. Si usted esta conduciendo y lo paranm debe presenter su licencia, la prueba de registro y el segurp de conductor.
  4. Usted no tiene que contestar preguntas sobre su estado migratory o ninguna otra pregunta. Si le piden esta informacion, digale al official que usted desea guarder silencio.
  5. Usted no tiene que permitir que la policia register su coche a manos de que tengan una “causa probable”. Si le piden su permiso para register su coche, simplemente no lo de. Agentes pueden legalmente revisar su coche con su consenrimiento.

Usted tiene derechos en su hogar
  1. No le permita la entrada a cualquier persona del gobierno (policia, inmagracion o inspectors) sin una “orden de registro” o una “orden de registro” o una “ordn de arresto”
  2. Si hay una orden de registro o de arresto, entonces PIDA VERLA, pero no abra la puerta.
  3. Cuando usted vea la orden de registro or de arresto, asegurese de que su nombre y direccion esten en la orden y de que este firmada por un juez.
  4. Si hay una orden de un official de inmagracion, entonces usted tiene el derecho de negarles la entrada a los oficiales. SALGA FUERA DE SU CASA a hablar con los oficiales, especialmente si hay otras personas en la casa con probelmas de inmigracion.
  5. Si los oficiales no tienen una orden, no los deje entrar a su casa.
  6. Si entran a su casa sin una orden de registro or de arreso, de inmediato hagale saber al official que usted no esta dando su consentimiento al registro.
  7. SIEMPRE obtenga los nombres de los oficiales y sus numerous de placa, si usted puede.

Usted tiene derechos en el trabajo.
  1. Agentes de inmigracion no tienen el derecho de revisar sus documentos en el trabajo sun una orden de arresto o de registro.
  2. Si un official de inmagracion se le acera en el trabajo, usted no tiene que contestar sus preguntas. Digale al official que usted desea gudar silencio. Si el official de pide sus papeles, informele que usted desea hablar con su abagado.
  3. Si usted es un miembro de una union/ sindicato, su union debe dejarle saber si los funcionarios de inmigracion lo estan buscando.

Usted tiene el derecho de solicitor empleo
  1. Usted tiene el derecho de hablar sobre empleo o solicitor empleo con un contratista o cualquier otra persona en un espacio public pretogido por la primera enmienda de la constitucion de los Estados Unidos.
  2. Usted tiene el derecho de esta parado en un lugar publico siempre y cuando usted este obedeciendo la ley y no este bliqueando el traffic, ni creando un problema de seguridad para si mismo o para otro peatones o conductors.
  3. Usted no tiene el mismo derecho de solicitor empleo en un ligar privado. Esto puede cuasar su arresto, y podria significarle penar criminals o multas.
  4. Aqui estann algunos puntos que le evitaran contacto con oficiales:
    1. Mantenga la acera limpia
    2. Permita espacio para otros peatones
    3. Respite a los que lo rodean
    4. Siga todas las leyes peatonales, cruce la calle en areas senladas y no se pare en medio de la calle ni impida el traffic.

Usted tiene derechos si autoridades da inmigracion loo detiene.
recuerde que usted tiene el derecho de permanerce callado y no tiene que contestar preguntas hasta que usted hable con un abagado.
Usted tiene el derecho de hablar con un abogado, Aunque el gobierno no pargara su abagado, los agents de inmagracion deben de ensenarle una lista de abogados que prestan su servicio gratis o a un bajo costo.
No firme ningun papel al menos de que usted ya haya hablado con un abogado.
No firme ningun papel si usted esta inseguro de su contiendo. Usted tiene el derecho a un traductor.
Si no han pedido su deportacion anteriormente, used tiene el drecho a saber de que lo acusan y disputer estos cargos.
Usted tiene el derecho de hablar con su consulado.
  • Memo on Immigration Accountability Executive Actions
    Click here to read more.

  • New Immigration Policy For Dream Act Candidates
    Click here to learn more.

  • Deferred Action Process for Young People (Ages 15 to 30)
    Click here to learn more or contact us for more information.

  • TPS FOR SOMALI NATIONALS EXTENDED BY THE DHS
    Click here to learn more.


  • The Harlem Times attended Jadoo & Zalenski's office warming party. Click here to view photos from the event.

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