Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) has shared a “Know Your Rights” guide to help individuals understand what to do if Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents approach their home or workplace. The guide, titled “KNOW YOUR RIGHTS IN CASE OF ICE”, provides three tips.
1. Do Not Open Your Door
The guide states: “ICE cannot enter your home without a warrant signed by a judge. Tell the agents to show you the warrant by sliding it under the door.” If the warrant is not signed by a judge, individuals are not legally required to allow agents inside.
2. Ask Them to Leave
According to the guide, “If ICE doesn’t have a warrant, tell them you do not consent for them to enter your home and ask them to leave.” It also notes that at workplaces, “ICE cannot enter employee-only areas without permission.”
3. Remain Silent
The guide reminds individuals of their right to remain silent: “You have the right to remain silent. If the agents ask you questions, tell them, ‘I wish to remain silent.'” Exercising this right helps prevent self-incrimination and protects individuals from providing information that could be used against them.
4. Do Not Sign Anything
The guide warns: “Do not sign any document without speaking to a lawyer.” Signing documents without legal advice may result in waiving certain rights or agreeing to deportation without fully understanding the consequences.
5. Do Not Share Personal Information
Another key point in the guide advises: “Do not answer questions about your immigration status, where you were born, or your criminal history.” Providing such information could be used against an individual in deportation proceedings.
6. Speak to a Lawyer
The guide urges individuals to seek legal counsel in advance, stating: “Consult with a lawyer ahead of time. If you are arrested, ICE will not provide you with a lawyer, so be prepared.” Having legal representation can be crucial in protecting one’s rights during an immigration-related encounter.
AOC also shared this guide on X (formerly Twitter). She wrote: “Believe it or not, in America, EVERYONE has rights. 🇺🇸 Citizen or not, we all should know our rights to protect ourselves and others from illegal search & seizure. ICE often attempts to enter homes without a proper warrant. They can go get one.”
Believe it or not, in America EVERYONE has rights. 🇺🇸
Citizen or not, we all should know our rights to protect ourselves and others from illegal search & seizure.
ICE often attempts to enter homes without a proper warrant. They can go get one.
Here’s our shareable guide (1/2): https://t.co/cM3CHlwkwh pic.twitter.com/Lv9APfD0CB
— Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (@AOC) February 13, 2025
She further posted: “If you’re pissed that I’m educating the people of this country of their Constitutional rights, that’s on you. And yes, immigrants have rights too. This is the LAND of the free. 🇺🇸”
In addition to releasing the guide, her office hosted a webinar on Wednesday about “Know Your Rights,” which aired on her office’s Facebook page. The webinar aimed to educate individuals on their legal protections and provide further guidance on dealing with ICE encounters.
Susan Shrestha
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