Immigrant Rights Center

From MJF: Tom Homan, the incoming "border czar" and former acting ICE director, , confirmed in a Fox News interview that Chicago is among the targeted cities. He emphasized that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) would focus on major urban areas like Chicago, operating with fewer restrictions. Homan also threatened to prosecute Chicago's mayor if there is non-cooperation with federal immigration enforcement efforts, following his December visit where he criticized the city’s sanctuary policies.

Chicago Phone # : Call ICIRR’s Hotline 1-855-HELP-MY-FAMILY (1-855-435-7693)

Please distribute this information widely and keep these resources handy. Community is the best form of defense.

• IDHS Office of Welcoming Centers for Refugee | (312) 793-7120 | https://www.dhs.state.il.us/page.aspx?item=146538

• The Resurrection Project - Immigrant Justice | (312) 666-1323 | https://www.trpimmigrantjustice.org/

• Adapted from ICIRR KYR Fact Sheets, download them here.

• Your rights:

  • You have the right to remain silent when questioned or arrested by immigration officers

  • You may ask what agency they represent, and what their purpose is. You can ask officers whether they are immigration agents and why they are there.

  • You have the right to ask for an interpreter and to have documents translated.

  • You have the right to speak to a lawyer

• Remain calm and keep your hands where the officer can see them

• DO NOT:

  • Discuss your immigration or citizenship status with the police, immigration agents, or other officials

  • Sign anything you do not understand. You should state that you wish to speak with an attorney

• If an officer knocks on your door at home: Do NOT open the door. Teach your children not to open the door.

  • ICE officers must have a warrant signed by a judge to enter your home. ICE “warrants” are not signed by judges; they are ICE forms signed by ICE officers and they do not grant authority to enter your home without your consent

• If you are outdoors and think you see immigration officers nearby:

  • Move to a safe indoor space

  • If you are a U.S. citizen and feel safe to do so, record the activity with your phone or write down any relevant information about what you witness— ALWAYS being careful to not interfere or otherwise obstruct the operation

• DO NOT:

  • Post unverified information on social media

  • Interfere with the investigation or otherwise put yourself in harm’s way

• Download from MJF: Immigration KYR | Before An Arrest

• Download from MJF: Immigration KYR | After An Arrest

• Read more Know Your Rights Information from CAIR-Chicago i.e. Mosque Safety Tips and How To React to Anti-Muslim Hate Crimes

• You have the right to remain silent

• Do not sign any documents

• Call a CAIR-Chicago attorney at 312-212-1520 or any other attorney before answering questions

• You do not need to provide personal information about birth, entry, or citizenship status

• All valid warrants must be signed by a judge

  • Warrant must contain correct name and address

  • Warrant must specify a valid date

  • Administrative warrants do not allow home entry

To verify whether a warrant is judge-signed, follow these steps:

1. Check the Signature: Look for the judge’s signature on the warrant. It should be an original signature or an official electronic signature, depending on the jurisdiction.

2. Judge’s Name and Title: The warrant should include the judge’s full name and title, confirming their authority to issue it.

3. Court Seal or Stamp: Many official warrants will include a court seal or stamp to authenticate the document.

4. Warrant Details: Ensure the warrant includes the correct legal basis, description of the person or property involved, and is dated properly.

5. Contact the Issuing Court: If in doubt, contact the courthouse that issued the warrant and request verification.

6. Attorney or Legal Representative Review: If you have legal representation, consult with your attorney to confirm the validity of the warrant. If you do not have legal representation, contact an attorney at CAIR-Chicago or any trusted immigration organization/law firm. 

IF THE FBI CONTACTS YOU:

Your right to be politically active and to hold different beliefs/views is protected by the Constitution. If you are visited by the FBI, remember:

1. You do not have to talk to the FBI. You have no obligation to talk to the FBI, even if you are not a citizen. Never meet with them or answer any questions without an attorney present. Refusing to answer questions cannot be held against you. It does not imply that you have something to hide.

2. You do not have to permit them to enter your home or office. FBI agents must possess a search warrant in order to enter your house. If they say they have a warrant, demand to see it before allowing them to enter. Even if they have a warrant, you are under no obligation to answer questions.

3. Never lie or provide false information to the FBI. It is better to refuse to answer any questions. Lying to an FBI agent is a crime. Contact CAIR for advice.

If you encounter an immigration or police officer at your workplace:

• Immigration agents can enter public workplaces. If you work in a place open to the public, like a restaurant or car wash, immigration agents may enter the public space of your workplace as they please (i.e. waiting area or lobby).

• Immigration agents cannot enter private areas unless they have permission or a warrant. ICE cannot enter any non-public space of your workplace (e.g. kitchen) unless they have either a valid warrant signed by a judge or permission from your employer to enter a private area of your workplace. 

• You have the right to refuse consent to be searched. If agents attempt to search your property, bags, or pockets, you can say aloud “I do not consent to a search.”

• You are not required to answer questions. If asked about where you were born, your immigration status, or your immigration history, you may choose to remain silent or say, “I do not want to answer your questions.”

• You do not have to sign anything before consulting with an attorney. You do not have to sign anything, and you have the right to consult with an immigration attorney before making any decisions or signing anything.

• Do not run or resist arrest. In the event you are detained, stay calm and do not attempt to resist arrest.

• MJF | KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: Immigration & The Workplace

  NILC’s Guide for Employers: What to Do if Immigration Comes to Your Workplace

Establish a safety plan that your family can use if ICE arrests you. Key parts of a safety plan include:

• Choose emergency caregivers and talk to them

• Memorize your emergency contact phone number

• Update your child’s pickup permissions with their school

• Document medical conditions and medications

• Ensure children have passports

• No court involvement required for short-term guardianship (up to 365 days)

• Can be signed by parent and guardian with two witnesses

• Revocable at any time by parent

Additional Resources:

• Tell your loved ones that if you are detained by ICE, they can try to use ICE’s online detainee locator to find you: locator.ice.gov

• National Immigrant Justice Center’s Legal Deportation Assistance immigrantjustice.org

• Organized Communities Against Deportations’ Resource Guide organizedcommunities.org

• For more information on short term guardianship visit Illinois Legal Aid Online

Be cautious of individuals offering legal services or legal advice. Only licensed attorneys can practice law. Common immigration scams involve individuals who claim to be “immigration consultants” or “Notarios” who often lack the legal qualifications to give legal advice.  Fraudulent practices exploit members of immigrant communities by charging unnecessary fees, delaying the immigration process, and can also put people at risk of deportation.

• Beware of notarios. Notarios in the U.S. are NOT attorneys. 

• Be wary of anyone who ‘guarantees’ that they can get you a specific benefit, like a visa or green card.

• Be wary of unexpected fees. Note that there is no fee to download forms. Always request a receipt for any payment made to your attorney or representative.

• Be wary of signing forms. Never sign blank forms, and keep copies of all forms and documents submitted to the government for your own records.

• On warrants: Administrative Warrant - It is issued by ICE or DHS for civil immigration violations. An administrative warrant does not allow ICE to enter private residences without consent. It is signed by an ICE officer, not a judge, and labeled as Form I-200 or Form I-205. Unlike judicial warrants, it cannot be enforced in the same way and does not grant ICE entry rights without permission.

For more information, see Common Scams | USCIS. If you are a victim of immigration fraud, you can make a report to the following:

• Attorney General of Illinois : call 1-800-386-5438 and Spanish Language Toll Free Hotline:1-866-310-8398

• City of ChicagoDepartment of Consumer Services : call 311 (Chicago Police non-emergency)

• Immigrant Resources from CAIR-Chicago

• ACLU of IL | https://www.trpimmigrantjustice.org/

• The Resurrection Project | https://www.trpimmigrantjustice.org/