Know Your Rights: A Home Visit from Immigration Officers

Know Your Rights: A Home Visit from Immigration Officers

If immigration officers come to your door, the moments that follow matter. You have important rights, and knowing them in advance, before anyone knocks, is the best way to protect yourself and your family. Stay calm and remember that fear can lead to mistakes.

You Do Not Have to Open the Door Without a Judicial Warrant

You generally do not have to open your door to immigration officers unless they have a judicial warrant. There is a critical difference between two documents. A judicial warrant is signed by a judge, names a specific person or place, and gives officers legal authority to enter. An administrative warrant, such as ICE's Form I-200 or I-205, is issued by the immigration agency itself, not signed by a judge, and generally does not authorize officers to enter your home without your consent. You can ask officers to slip any warrant under the door or hold it up to a window so you can read who signed it before deciding anything.

You Have the Right to Remain Silent

You do not have to answer questions about where you were born, your immigration status, or how you entered the country. You can say clearly that you wish to remain silent and that you want to speak to a lawyer. This right applies to everyone, regardless of status.

Do Not Sign Anything You Do Not Understand

Officers may present documents and ask you to sign. Do not sign anything without understanding it and, ideally, speaking with an attorney first. Some documents can waive important rights or amount to agreeing to leave the country. If you do not understand a document, say so and ask to speak with a lawyer.

Have a Family Communication Plan

Decide in advance who to call, keep an attorney's number memorized or posted somewhere accessible, and make sure trusted family members know where important documents are kept. A calm, prepared household responds far better than a panicked one.

How Vasquez Law Firm Can Help

At Vasquez Law Firm, our attorneys help families understand their rights and prepare for the possibility of a home visit from immigration officers. We can review your family's situation and help you build a preparedness plan. Call 1-844-967-3536 for a free evaluation. Knowing your rights before you need them is the strongest protection there is.