What To Do If You're Stopped by Police, Immigration Agents or the FBI

See the documents section below for printable versions of these documents in English and Spanish, including a foldable pocket guide.

YOUR RIGHTS

• You have the right to remain silent. If you wish to exercise that right, say so out loud. Remember anything you say can be used against you.
• You have the right to refuse to consent to a search of yourself, your belongings, your car or your home.
• If you are not under arrest, you have the right to calmly leave.
• You have the right to a lawyer if you are arrested. Though one will not be provided immediately, you can and should invoke your right to one by asking for one immediately.
• Regardless of your immigration or citizenship status, you have constitutional rights.

• Do stay calm and be polite.
• Do not interfere with or obstruct the police.
• Do not lie or give false documents.
• Do prepare yourself and yourfamily in case you are arrested.
• Do rememberthe details of the encounter.
• Do file a written complaint with the police department’s internal affairs division and notify the ACLU if you believe your rights have been violated.

• You have the right to remain silent and do not have to discuss your immigration or citizenship status with police, immigration agents or any other officials.
• You do not have to answer questions about where you were born, whether you are a U.S. citizen, or how you entered the country. (Separate rules apply at international borders and airports, and for individuals on certain nonimmigrant visas, including tourists and business travelers.)
• If you are not a U.S. citizen and an immigration agent requests your immigration papers, you should show them if you have them with you. If you are over 18, carry your immigration documents at all times. If you do not have immigration papers, say you want to remain silent.

• If the police or immigration agents come to your home, you do not have to let them in unless they have certain kinds of warrants. Ask the officer to slip the warrant under the door or hold it up to the window so you can inspect it. A search warrant allows police to enter the address listed on the warrant, but officers can only search the areas and for the items listed.
• An arrest warrant allows police to enter the home of the person listed on the warrant if they believe the person is inside. A warrant of removal/deportation (ICE warrant) does not allow officers to enter a home without consent.  
• Even if officers have a warrant, you have the right to remain silent. If you choose to speak to the officers, step outside and close the door. In some emergency situations (like someone inside screaming for help or If police are chasing someone who is fleeing) officers may enter a home without a warrant.