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The arrests by Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) escalated rapidly under President Donald Trump. The White House said Monday ice officers arrested more than 100,000 people in less than five months since Trump took office, compared to 113,000 for the entire 2024 fiscal year.
Civil rights advocates remind immigrants and others that they have rights under the law if they encounter an ice officer or get caught up in an ice raid.
What are my rights if I was asked by the ice?
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) says that if you are stopped by an ice officer, you have the right to remain silent.
“You don’t need to answer questions about where you were born, whether you are a US citizen, or how you entered,” says the ACLU, but they acknowledge that different rules apply at borders and airports.
Red cards, hotlines, legal tips: how to respond to an ice attack in Los Angeles
You also do not need to agree to searching for your belongings. (If you suspect that a police officer has a weapon, you may be tapped, says the ACLU.
The Northern California chapter of the ACLU should keep these simple tips in mind.
Do not automatically open the door to the ice. First, ask if the officer has a search warrant, not just an arrest warrant. There is no one and without your permission, they will not be able to enter your home. If you don’t want to open, they can hand over a warrant under the door. Take a closer look at the warrant. “Only the court/judge will grant ICE permission to enter your facility. Not those issued by DHS or ICE and signed by DHS or ICE employees,” writes the ACLU in Northern California. The National Center for Immigration Justice posts examples of different types of warrants online, so you know what to look for. If the agent forces input, you can say “I don’t agree to your entry”, but the ACLU advises you not to physically resist. Ask them to speak with an attorney and be aware of what you sign. “Ice may ask you to sign a form agreeing to be deported without first meeting a judge.” If the officer does not speak your language, ask for an interpreter. Document anything you can. Write down your badge number, take photos and videos, and make notes if it interferes with your ability to take photos and videos.
What are my rights if I’m detained on ice?
I repeat my desire to silently speak to my lawyer. The government does not need to provide lawyers in these cases, but can request a list of free or low-cost legal representatives.
“Don’t say anything, don’t sign anything or make a decision without a lawyer,” advises the ACLU.
You also have the right to call on the site if you are in custody.
What can you do to reduce your own safety risks in ice encounters?
The ACLU advises people to stay calm, not resist and not give officers fake documents. People can prepare by remembering their loved one and their lawyer’s phone number, and if they have children who need to care for or take it, they can create an emergency emergency plan.
Why are people protesting in Los Angeles?
Monday was the fourth day of demonstrations against Trump’s immigrant crackdown in the Los Angeles area.
The protest began after federal agents arrested immigrants in LA’s fashion district, in the parking lot at Home Depot and several other locations on Friday. The next day they were staging at the Department of Homeland Security office near another Home Depot in Paramount. Federal authorities later said that Home Depot had no enforcement activities.
Tensions escalated Sunday after protesters blocked major highways and set ignited self-driving cars as protesters blocked major highways and law enforcement used tear gas, rubber bullets and flash bangs to control crowds.
Hundreds of US Marines were also mobilized to Los Angeles on Monday. Gov. Gavin Newsom said, “The US Marines have given them honor over multiple wars defending democracy. They are heroes. They should not be deployed on American soil, and they should not be deployed on American soil to satisfy the crazy fantasy of an authoritarian president.”
California officials are now urging the deployment of the National Guard to be rolled back, saying the president has trampled on the state’s sovereignty.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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