An Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid, also known as an immigration raid, is an operation led by ICE agents to identify, detain, and potentially deport individuals believed to be illegally in the U.S. These raids typically involve large-scale searches of homes, businesses, and public spaces in areas with a high concentration of immigrants.
ICE raids can be conducted with or without a warrant and can be triggered by a variety of factors, including criminal convictions, expired visas, or suspected undocumented status.
During a raid, ICE agents may detain people and transport them to a detention center for processing and possible removal proceedings.
It is crucial that, as an immigrant, you are informed of your rights in the event of an immigration raid. Here are some essential things to keep in mind:
¨ You have the right to remain silent. If ICE agents ask you questions, you can politely decline to answer and ask to speak to a lawyer before answering anything.
¨ You have the right to deny them entry to your home or workplace unless the agents have a warrant signed by a judge. If they have a warrant, ask to see it before letting them in.
¨ In the event you are detained during a raid, you have the right to speak to a lawyer. You can request a list of attorneys who work for free through the American Immigration Lawyers Association.
¨ You have the right to request medical treatment if you need it while you are detained.
¨ If you are being deported, you have the right to be scheduled for a hearing before an immigration judge to make a decision on your case. If the answer is negative, you also have the right to file an appeal of that decision with the help of your lawyer.
¨ If you have been the victim of a crime, you can report it to the police. This is one of your rights, and it’s important to know so you don’t stop doing it for fear of deportation.
The rights that we have mentioned are rights that any person in the United States has, regardless of their immigration status. So if you suspect that any of them may have been violated by ICE agents, you should immediately report it to an immigration attorney.
