Facing I.C.E.

When it comes to protecting yourself from I.C.E. (Immigration and Customs Enforcement), it is crucial to be informed about your rights and the resources available. Various organizations provide legal aid, advice, and support for individuals facing immigration enforcement. Being aware of these resources will help you make informed decisions and ensure your safety in challenging situations. To get started, the RRS department has compiled a couple of resources for you. 

Report ICE and help protect your community

Tips to protect you from ICE

Call (415) 200-1548

If ICE comes to your home, workplace, or neighborhood, report this action by calling (415) 200-1548 and send help to those impacted.

If ICE comes to your door

  1. Do not open your door. ICE cannot come in without a legal search warrant signed by a judge. A DHS warrant is not enough. If they do have a legal search warrant, it should be slipped under the door.
  2. Remain silent. Say “I plead the fifth amendment and choose to remain silent.”
  3. Do not sign anything. Do not sign any forms without an attorney present.
  4. Call (415) 200-1548 to report ICE and protect your community.

If ICE approaches you on the street

  1. You have the right to refuse to give them your ID and name.
  2. You can refuse to answer their questions. If they detain you, you can ask for an attorney.
  3. You can ask “Am I arrested?” If the answer is no, you should ask him or her if you can leave. You do not need to give them any information regarding your legal status in the U.S.
  4. Call (415) 200-1548 to report ICE and protect your community. 

 

Tips provided by the San Francisco Immigrant Legal and Education Network. 

Your Rights & The Police

The following resource is a downloadable zine meant to offer some basic advice when interacting with police officers. This list applies to the state of California only. Be sure to consult a lawyer.

The ACLU of Northern California has created Know Your Rights guides on a range of issues.

The ACLU of Northern California has created Know Your Rights guides

Download the Zine (pdf)

Encounters with the law can be stressful or scary. People have various experiences with law enforcement, some of which are not always fair or legal. This guide provides you practical information that could help you avoid more trouble or potentially harmful situations.

You will find some language italicized. These are “magic words” that you can repeat over and over to show you know the law. Memorize them. Know your rights, so you can use them.

If you are arrested or taken to a police station,

DOs

DON'Ts
DO tell the police your name and basic identifying information. But nothing else. DON’T give them any information except for your name and basic identifying information.
DO say “I want to remain silent” and “I want to talk to a lawyer.” They should stop questioning you after that. DON’T give explanations, excuses, or stories. Say “I want to remain silent” and “I want to talk to a lawyer.”
DO make sure you get your 3 phone calls within 3 hours of getting arrested or immediately after being booked. You can call a lawyer, bail bondsman, relative, or any other person. If you have children under 18, you get 2 additional calls to arrange childcare. Memorize phone numbers ahead of time. DON’T talk about your case on the phone. The police might be recording your phone calls (except those to your lawyer).
DO assume the police are recording your calls (except the call with your = lawyer). DON’T make any decisions in your case without talking to a lawyer.
  DON’T discuss your citizenship or immigration status with anyone other than your lawyer.

If you are stopped for questioning,

DOs

DON'Ts
DO ask “Am I free to go?” If they say ‘yes,’ leave calmly. If they say ‘no,’ DO ask to know why by saying, “Can you tell me why you are stopping me?” DON’T disrespect a police officer. Although you have a constitutional right to do so, it could lead to your arrest.
DO exercise your right to remain silent. Say “I want to remain silent.” You cannot be arrested or detained for refusing to answer questions. But it can look suspicious to the police if you answer questions and then suddenly stop. Make it your practice to always remain silent. DON’T run away or physically resist a “pat-down” or search. Say “I do not consent to a search.”
DO make sure the officer knows you do not agree to be searched (they might search you anyway, but make your opposition known). Say “I do not consent to a search.” DON’T lie. Tell the police you don’t want to talk to them. Say “I want to remain silent.”
DO, if you are being given a ticket, give your name and birth date, and sign the ticket. If you don’t, you may be arrested. DON’T forget that police are legally allowed to lie, intimidate, and bluff.
  DON’T discuss your citizenship or immigration status with anyone other than your lawyer.

If you are stopped in your car,

DOs

DON'Ts
DO show your license, registration, and proof of insurance when asked, if you were driving. DON’T physically resist a search. Say “I do not consent to a search.”
DO keep your hands on the wheel and let the officer know what you are doing (“I’m going to reach for my registration now.”). DON’T refuse to sign a ticket. You can be arrested for it.
DO say “I do not consent to a search.” DON’T search for your license or registration until asked. It may look as if you are trying to hide something.
DO sign your ticket if you are given one. Otherwise, you may be arrested. DON’T disrespect the officer. Although you have a constitutional right to do so, it could lead to your arrest.
DO take the DUI test, unless you are willing to risk your license being suspended. DON’T attempt to bribe the police.
DO keep your car interior clear of unnecessary objects. It may give the police reason to search the car. DON’T play music loudly when the police walk up to your car.
DO ask if you can park your car in a safe place or have a licensed driver take it away, if you are arrested, to avoid towing or impoundment fees. DON’T have any objects hanging from your rearview mirror. It may give police a reason to pull you over.

NOTE: An AB 60 license should be accepted by state and local law enforcement in California, the same as other state-issued IDs.

Helpful Acrostics

Here’s an acrostic using "SHIELD" to help employers remember how to protect their workers from ICE:

S: Stay calm and know your rights.
H: Hold the line — don’t let ICE into private areas without a judicial warrant.
I: Ignore administrative warrants; they don’t require compliance.
E: Encourage workers to stay silent and ask for an attorney.
L: Limit information — don’t confirm schedules or immigration status.
D: Demand a valid warrant signed by a judge before cooperating.

Here’s an acrostic using "ICE" to help remember what to do if confronted by immigration enforcement:

I: Insist on your rights: You have the right to remain silent. Do not answer any questions.
C: Call for help: Ask to speak to your attorney. Contact a trusted family member or legal representative.
E: Exercise caution: Do not sign anything you don’t understand. Stay calm and do not resist.

I: Insiste en tus derechos – Tienes derecho a guardar silencio. No respondas preguntas.
C: Consulta ayuda – Pide hablar con un abogado. Contacta a un familiar de confianza.
E: Ejercita precaución – No firmes nada que no entiendas. Mantén la calma y no resistas.

Additional Resources

Organizations that provide legal support

African Advocacy Network

3106 Folsom Street 
San Francisco, CA 94110

(415) 503-1032

African Advocacy Network

CARECEN

3101 Mission St.
San Francisco, CA 94110

(415) 642-4400

CARECEN

Jubilee Immigration Advocates

100 Bush Street, Suite 508 
San Francisco, CA 94104

(415) 813-1958

Jubilee Immigration Advocates

Mission Action

938 Valencia St. 
San Francisco, CA 94110

(415) 282-6209

Mission Action

Arab Resource and Organizing Center

522 Valencia Street 
San Francisco, CA 94110

(415) 861-7444

AROC

La Raza Centro Legal

474 Valencia St., #295 
San Francisco, CA 94103

(415) 575-3500

La Raza Centro Legal

La Raza Community Resource

Center 474 Valencia St., Ste. 100
San Francisco, CA 94103

Organizations that do “Know Your Rights” workshops/trainings/info sessions

  • Chinese for Affirmative Action 

    • 17 Walter U Lum Place, San Francisco, CA 94108
    • (415) 274-6750

  • Mujeres Unidas y Activas 

    • 3543 18th Street, #23 San Francisco, CA 94110
    • (415) 621-8140

  • PODER

    • Excelsior - Excelsior Works!: 5000 Mission St. 2nd Floor, San Francisco, CA 94112
    • Mission: 255 Shotwell St, San Francisco, CA 94110 
      • (415) 431-4210

  • Filipino Community Center 

    • 4681 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94112
    • (415) 333-6267

Other national/local resources

Websites

Instagram Accounts

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