If you are a legal permanent resident, a nonimmigrant visa holder or someone who has no valid status, you may have some concerns about interacting with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. After all, ICE agents have the authority both to arrest you and to institute deportation proceedings against you.
Even though it can be scary to have any member of law enforcement come to your home, you should not let your fear induce you into doing something to make matters worse. Therefore, you should know your rights when ICE comes to your door.
The right to remain silent
According to the U.S. Courts, you have a fundamental right not to incriminate yourself. Integral to this notion is your right to remain silent. Even if ICE officers do not advise you of this right, you typically do not have to talk about your immigration status or anything else with them.
The right to see a warrant
A warrant is an order that gives law enforcement the legal authority to search a property or arrest a person. With few exceptions, ICE officers may not enter your home without a legally valid warrant. Officers may try to go around this requirement by asking for your permission to conduct a search. You do not have to consent to the search, however.
Just as ICE officers know about your rights, they also usually know how to get you to waive them. Ultimately, if an ICE officer is attempting to detain you or search your property, it is advisable to pay close attention to what they do.