Amid speculation of increased raids by U.S. immigration enforcement following the New York City mayoral election, the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) has released crucial information in Nepali. This resource details the rights individuals should know if agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) come looking for them.
The resource materials are now available in the Nepali language for the first time, supplementing existing versions in English and 13 other languages. They cover several scenarios, including how to respond if ICE agents arrive at your door or enter your home, what to do if they arrive at your workplace, and the steps to take if you are taken into custody or arrested.
The guide provides crucial instructions for handling an encounter at home. If Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are at the door, residents are emphatically told that they do not have to open the door, and they have the right to remain silent.
From behind the closed door, the resident should ask agents to identify themselves and show their badge or ID through the peephole or by slipping it under the door. Most importantly, they must ask if the agents possess a judicial warrant—a paper signed by a judge that grants permission to search a location or make an arrest.
The guide stresses that if agents do not have a judicial warrant, the resident is not required to let them in and can simply say, “I do not want to speak with you.” If agents have a warrant, it must be slipped under the door to confirm it was signed by a judge before the resident complies.
Even if agents enter a home without permission, the resident should clearly state, “I do not consent to you being in my home. Please leave,” and “I do not consent to your search” if a search begins.
For interactions in public or at the workplace, the guide reiterates the constitutional right to remain silent and to refuse to answer questions about immigration status, birthplace, or criminal history.
At a workplace, ICE agents are permitted to enter public areas, such as an office lobby or a retail floor, without a warrant. However, they are legally barred from entering private, employee-only spaces like break rooms or storage areas unless they have a judicial warrant or the employer’s explicit permission.
The document further provides practical advice for those detained, including the right to make phone calls to a family member, a friend, or an attorney, and the right to request an interpreter for any conversation with ICE.
The MOIA urges all immigrant families to make a comprehensive “Family Preparedness Plan.” This plan should include choosing and memorizing the number of a trusted emergency contact, organizing all important documents for access by that contact, and designating a standby guardian who can care for children and make medical or school decisions in case the parents are detained.
The flyer concludes with a strong warning against immigration legal scams, advising the community to consult a licensed attorney for legal advice, as notaries cannot legally fill out or file immigration forms. The full “Know Your Rights” information, including legal resources, is available by scanning the QR code provided in the booklet.
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Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
