Immigrant Rights

Below is a list of publicly available resources to help support immigrants in our community. Laws in this field change quickly. Use these resources only as a starting point, and not as a substitute for legal advice. 

Immigrants have certain constitutionally protected rights. Because Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents often attempt to ignore those rights, providing immigrants with clear, easily accessible information about their rights is essential. Here are reference materials for immigrants and other interested parties. 

• Know Your Rights: If ICE Confronts You (ACLU of Northern California)
• Know Your Rights Red Cards in every language (Immigrant Legel Resource Center)
• Know Your Rights When Confronted by ICE flyer (Immigrant Legel Resource Center)
• A Guide for Employers pamphlet (Immigrant Legel Resource Center) 

Protesters who are immigrants or who are supporting immigrants have constitutional rights as well. Here are resources that describe protesters’ rights.

• Know Your Rights: Immigrants Participation in Protests (National Immigration Law Center)
• Protesters’ Rights guide (ACLU) 

Immigrants can make sure that they are ready to act if ICE or other federal agents detain a member of their household. Here are resources to help with this effort.

• Step-by-Step Family Preparedness Plan
• National Immigration Legal Services Directory

Rapid response networks (RRNs) respond to ICE raids and detentions in our communities. Upon learning of reported activity, an RRN will immediately dispatch trained legal observers. If an immigrant is detained, an RRN will work to provide free legal assistance. 

In the Bay Area, RRN hotlines are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Each Bay Area county has its own RRN hotline. 

• Santa Clara County RRN | 408-290-1144
• San Mateo County RRN | 203-666-4472 
• San Francisco County RRN | 415-200-1548

False reports of ICE presence cause panic. Please do not share unverified ICE alerts. Instead, notify the appropriate RRN through its hotline number. 

Reaching people who have been detained by ICE can be difficult. Here are tools that can help with that process.

• ICE Detainee Locator System
• EOIR Case Information Locator 

Community members can support immigrant rights by helping to record and report ICE activity in their area. Here are tools for providing that support.

• “How to Film ICE” (Wired magazine)
• Report Misconduct by Federal Agents (Office of California Attorney General)