This year, President Donald Trump made a comeback to the White House with an audacious agenda centered on executing what he described as the “largest deportation operation” in U.S. history.
Following this, federal agents initiated a substantial series of immigration sweeps across Los Angeles, marking the first significant enforcement action under his administration.
The situation in Los Angeles was reflective of broader confrontations with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents across the nation in recent days, as local immigrant rights groups responded with fervent protests motivated by resistance and a sense of urgency.
In response to these developments, officials within the White House reaffirmed their commitment to continue these immigration sweeps across the country.
As these enforcement actions unfold, many residents are reminded of the rights that still exist for individuals regardless of their immigration status.
California hosts the largest population of undocumented immigrants in the United States, with an estimated 12% of high school students having at least one parent who is undocumented.
For these families, the prospect of mass deportation carries the dire implications of long-term separations, social upheaval, and potential loss of educational opportunities for young people.
To support those affected, advocates have organized workshops aimed at educating individuals about their rights in the face of increasing immigration enforcement.
A recent webinar organized by the Central American Resource Center (CARECEN) featured insights from David Lawlor, part of the nonprofit’s College Legal Services Team, who encouraged attendees to focus on what they can control during these tumultuous times.
“And one of the things you can control is knowing your rights,” Lawlor stressed.
While LAist doesn’t provide legal advice, the importance of understanding one’s rights and how to assert them cannot be overstated.
A key question that arises for many is: What should one do if immigration officials come to their home?
According to Lisa Graybill, vice president of law and policy at the National Immigration Law Center (NILC), ICE agents sometimes wield administrative warrants issued by the Department of Homeland Security, which do not authorize them to enter private residences.
Carolina Castañeda, a staff attorney with the Immigrant Legal Resource Center (ILRC), emphasized that families should always keep their front doors closed and, if ICE agents knock, they can request to see a warrant.
A legitimate warrant must be signed by a judge and issued by a competent court, and agents can present it through a window or slip it under the door, as per Castañeda’s guidance.
Crucially, she noted that an open door does not grant agents the right to enter – a point of contention that can lead to misunderstandings during these encounters.
“If someone slightly opens the door, it can lead to agents pushing their way inside, which is not permissible; they need your permission or a judicial search warrant to enter,” Castañeda explained.
Graybill also warned that ICE agents have been known to employ deceptive tactics to gain entry, citing instances in New Mexico where agents pretended to be pizza delivery personnel.
To combat such scenarios, the ILRC has developed a wallet-sized card designed to assist both citizens and noncitizens in navigating encounters with ICE agents.
One side of the card outlines constitutional rights and provides guidance, while the opposite side includes suggested phrases for communication with immigration officials. These cards can be downloaded for free online in over sixteen languages.
Another crucial aspect is how to engage with immigration agents if they come to your door.
Castañeda highlighted the importance of preparation, noting that families can often feel overwhelmed during such encounters.
“It’s so difficult to know what to say when confronted with the problem,” she remarked, noting the need to train both adults and children to assert their rights effectively.
Households should refrain from instantly opening the door and instead ask for identification from the agents present.
If ICE agents are confirmed, families should assert their right to remain silent and refuse entry without a valid warrant.
One strategy suggested by Castañeda is to show the ILRC rights card through the window or slide it under the door to avoid direct confrontation.
In scenarios where agents do present a judicial warrant, it’s vital to seek legal counsel promptly and share the warrant with an attorney before proceeding.
For individuals who may encounter ICE officials at their workplace or school, the advice remains consistent: assert your right to remain silent, do not sign anything, and ask to speak with an attorney.
Castañeda warns that if ICE agents attempt to segregate employees into lines based on immigration status, compliance should be avoided.
“Standing still and asserting your right to remain silent is paramount,” she advised.
Individuals should remain steady and inquire if they’re free to leave, while avoiding the temptation to run or present falsified documents, which could lead to further complications.
For business owners, preparation is equally important, as Castañeda and Graybill suggested having a formal response plan similar to a fire drill ready ahead of time.
It is essential to understand that, without a warrant, ICE agents can only enter areas that are publicly accessible.
For instance, in a coffee shop, kitchens and administrative offices are usually private areas, and business owners should clearly mark those spaces as off-limits.
At educational institutions, such as college campuses, similar rules apply; ICE agents cannot access non-public spaces without a judicial warrant, including dormitories and other restricted areas.
Beyond knowing rights and readying responses, legal experts also strongly recommend families with undocumented members consult with an attorney to explore potential pathways to residency and citizenship.
Julie Mitchell, who founded CARECEN’s College Legal Services Team, underscored the urgency for young people to seek legal counsel.
“Some forms of relief are only available until individuals turn 21,” she noted.
Indeed, many individuals miss out on immigration options simply because they age out of eligibility.
In addition, families are advised to create a preparedness plan in case a family member is detained.
This includes gathering critical documents such as children’s birth certificates and drafting detailed permissions for caregivers regarding childcare and other responsibilities.
Questions that need clarity involve whether the caregiver can take the child to school, schedule medical appointments, and any necessary medications the child may need.
Families should also consider recording relevant personal information about undocumented members, such as their date of birth and country of origin, which can prove essential for locating individuals through the ICE inmate locator tool.
Furthermore, undocumented family members should assemble any immigration documentation ahead of time, facilitating the defense process should a family member be apprehended.
The ILRC has prepared a step-by-step guide outlining how to establish a comprehensive family preparedness plan, available for free in both English and Spanish.
Lawlor from CARECEN added the importance of taking these proactive steps: “No one wants to consider the possibility of detention, but it is vital to be prepared.”
As the threat of immigration sweeps looms over California and the rest of the nation, the advice from legal experts is clear: knowing one’s rights and preparing for the unforeseen could be life-changing for many families facing uncertain futures.
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