The current administration has proven it plans to deport millions of people with the assistance of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE). Even this week we saw a massive enforcement raid of 7-Eleven stores aimed at not only illegal workers, but also management who ICE believes has turned a blind eye to improper hiring practices. Here are 3 tips to prepare you for a knock at the door from this agency.
Tip #1: You Have the Right to Remain Silent
If you’re living with several other immigrants you may not know particularly well, ICE might arrive at your door with a request to search that person’s living area. They may have an administrative warrant, but they still need consent to enter your home. Once inside the home, this warrant does not give them carte blanche to start interrogating other people in the house, even if they say that they are within their law enforcement rights. If they start asking questions about your status, invoke your right to remain silent. You are required to provide your name and date of birth to law enforcement, if they ask, but not your country of birth or other identifying information. Inform the officers you will not speak with them without your attorney present, and you are exercising your 5th Amendment rights to remain silent.
Tip #2: Check the Warrant Before Allowing ICE Inside Your Home
ICE is only allowed to come into your home if you give them your consent or if they have a court-issued warrant, not the administrative warrant they usually present. This court warrant must be signed by a judge, not by an employee of ICE. Before you let ICE in, keep the door closed and ask them to slip the warrant under the door. DO NOT step outside to speak to the officers or open the door to speak to them. Check the order is valid on all points before allowing them entrance. If they don’t have a valid warrant, inform the officers you will not consent to their entry until they have a legitimate court document.
Tip #3: Contact an Attorney as Soon as Possible
If you are being harassed by ICE officers, make sure to contact an attorney as soon as possible. An experienced Dallas immigration lawyer knows the law and how to protect your rights. If your rights are being violated by ICE or law enforcement, a lawyer can protect you from discrimination and illegal practices.
Talk to one of our talented attorneys about your case if you’re concerned about your visa. Akula & Associates, P.C. has years of experience handling complex immigration cases. Let us see what we can do for you.
Contact us at (844) 299-5003 or fill out our online form to schedule a case consultation with us today.