 I. KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
You have the right: • To be silent; • To an interpreter; • To a lawyer; • To make a phone call; • Not to answer questions about your place of birth, immigration status or how you entered the United States; • Not to sign documents you don’t understand; • To ask if you are detained. If you are not detained, you can leave. What you should know about your documents: • Do not carry in your possession any false identity or immigration documents. • Do not carry any documents about your country of origin. If ICE officers come to your home, they can only enter the home if: • Someone in the home allows them to enter; OR • They have a search warrant signed by a judge with the name and address of the person they are looking for. Ask ICE to push the warrant under the door or through a window. Otherwise DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR. II. MAKE A PLAN 1. At all times: • Carry your valid green card, work permit, NYS or NYC ID; • Make copies of all your immigration documents and give copies to a trusted family member or friend; • Carry receipt notices for any pending immigration case or court hearing; • Memorize the telephone numbers of a family member/friend and of an immigration lawyer or legal services provider; (LSNYC hotline: 917-661-4500, Mon–Fri 10am–4pm) • Find the emergency telephone number of your country’s consulate and memorize the number. 2. Find someone you trust to care for your children if you are detained: • Make sure your children have this person’s telephone number and that they know what to do if you do not return home; • Make sure your children’s school knows who can and cannot pick up your child from school; • Write down instructions if your child has any medical conditions; • Draft a Power of Attorney to allow a relative or friend to make decisions about your child; • If you have U.S. citizen children, make sure they have U.S. passports. You can apply for a passport at any U.S. post office and at www.travel.state.gov 3. If detained by ICE, let your family and friends know how to find you: • Family and friends can call ICE at 212-264-5085 or search online at www.ice.gov/locator --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Legal Assistance: Monday through Friday from 10am to 4pm. Call 917-661-4500 to speak to an intake officer in any language. |
