Everyone, no matter where they come from or how they arrived in the U.S., has fundamental rights under the Constitution. As Trump’s mass deportation efforts become more aggressive, it’s more important than ever for immigrants, people of color, and allied communities to understand and exercise those rights if and when ICE knocks on your door.
Knowing your rights can make a huge difference. In Chicago, immigrant rights advocates reached enough households to frustrate mass deportation efforts. Even Tom Homan, the Trump-appointed “Border Czar” has complained that the growing number of “well educated” immigrants has made it “very difficult” to arrest people. On a national level, people are crediting legal education with slowing down arrests and deportations — including in immigrant-rich cities like New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.
3 in 5 Asian Americans and 1 in 4 Pacific Islanders were born outside of the United States. To protect our immigrant friends, relatives, and neighbors, the most important thing we can do is stay informed. In this guide, we’ll break down who is at risk of an ICE arrest, what to do if ICE stops you, and how AAPI communities can prepare for immigrant raids and other law enforcement interactions.
What does mass deportation mean for AAPI communities?
At a recent town hall, we brought together movement leaders representing Asian adoptees, DACA recipients, TPS holders, and other immigrant communities to discuss the impact of mass deportation on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders . You can access a recording of the town hall to learn more.
Stop AAPI Hate is not a legal services organization, and nothing in this document should be construed as legal advice. The information provided here is for informational purposes only. If you have specific questions about the immigration risks you or your family may face, please consult a qualified immigration attorney. To find immigration legal resources near you, click here.
WHO IS AT RISK OF AN ICE ARREST?
Federal law allows the government to deport anyone who does not have lawful immigration status. This includes:
- People who entered the U.S. without permission.
- People who overstayed their visas.
However, even those with lawful immigration status can be at risk of deportation if they have certain criminal convictions. This includes:
- Green card holders (lawful permanent residents).
- Refugees and asylum seekers.
- Visa holders (such as student or work visa holders).
Case in point: Mahmoud Khalil
Recently, ICE unlawfully arrested Mahmoud Khalil (Columbia University), a green card holder with no criminal charges or convictions. ICE cited an obscure 1950s-era law that allows them to deport people based on so-called “adverse foreign policy consequences.”
This case, now being challenged in federal court, raises serious concerns about the federal government’s willingness to target even lawful immigrants.
Since Mahmoud’s arrest, a number of student visa holders and green card holders have also been targeted with no evidence of criminal charges, including Ranjani Srinivasan (Columbia University), Badar Khan Suri (Georgetown University), and Yunseo Chung (Columbia University)
Students gather to protest the wrongful detention of green card holder Mahmoud Khalil.
WHAT HAPPENS IS ICE STOPS ME IN PUBLIC?
If ICE agents stop you, remember these key rights:
✅ You have the right to remain silent – You do not have to answer any questions, including where you were born or how you entered the U.S.
✅ You can ask, “Am I free to go?” – If ICE says yes, you can walk away. If they say no, invoke your right to remain silent and ask to speak with a lawyer.
✅ ICE cannot search you without consent – If an agent tries to search your belongings, say clearly, “I do not consent to this search.”
TIP: Carry a Know Your Rights card and hand it to the officer instead of speaking.
For more on what to do if ICE stops you, click here.
WHAT HAPPENS IF ICE COMES TO MY HOME?
If ICE agents come to your door:
🚪Do NOT open the door – ICE cannot enter without a valid judicial warrant. A real warrant must be signed by a judge (not ICE) and have your correct name and address.
📄 Ask ICE to slide the warrant under the door or show it through a window to verify its validity.
🤐 You have the right to remain silent – Do not answer questions. You do not have to answer ICE’s questions.
❌ Do NOT sign anything – If you don’t fully understanding what it means, do not sign it without speaking to a lawyer.
⚠️ ICE may lie to get you to open the door – They often pretend to be local police investigating a crime in your neighborhood. Be cautious and learn more about common ICE lies here.
For a guide on what to do when ICE is at your door, click here.
DO I NEED TO CARRY DOCUMENTS WITH ME?
If you have valid immigration documents (such as a green card or work permit), you should carry them with you. If you have a pending immigration case, carry proof of your case.
However:
❌ Do NOT carry documents from another country, like a foreign passport – ICE can use these against you.
✅ If you have lived in the U.S. for over two years, carry documents that prove it, such as leases, utility bills, or receipts.
⚠️ Why is this important?
Trump’s expansion of expedited removal allows ICE to deport undocumented immigrants who cannot prove they’ve been in the U.S. for more than two years—without ever seeing a judge.
Learn more about Expedited Removal here.
WHAT SHOULD I DO AFTER AN ICE ARREST?
If you or a loved one is detained by ICE:
❌ Do NOT answer questions – You have the right to remain silent.
❌ Do NOT sign anything – Many ICE documents are designed to speed up deportation. Always consult an attorney first.
✅ Ask to speak to a lawyer – Unlike criminal court, the government will not provide you with a free lawyer, but you have the right to hire one. To find free or low cost legal representation, click here.
📍To find a detained loved one, use the ICE Detainee Locator tool.
For more on how to protect yourself after an ICE arrest, check out this Deportation Defense Manual.
WHERE ELSE CAN I GO FOR INFORMATION?
You can find immigration legal services providers who can answer more questions at the National Immigration Legal Services Directory. Nonprofit organizations that provide free or low-cost immigration legal services are searchable by state and county.
For more Know Your Rights guidance and information, check out:
📌 Immigrant Defense Project – Step-by-step guidance on what to do if ICE stops you.
📌 Immigrant Legal Resource Center – Download a Know Your Rights card in multiple languages.
MORE WAYS TO TAKE ACTION
Keep ICE Out of Our Schools
Trump has reversed a long standing policy that protected our schools, hospitals, and other sensitive locations from ICE. You can take a stand by demanding that Congress pass the Sensitive Locations Act — to keep our safe spaces safe from immigration enforcement.
Repeal the Alien Enemies Act
Trump is invoking the disgraced Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to carry out the wrongful deportation of Venezuelan immigrants without due process. Take action by sending a letter to your members of Congress telling them to pass the Neighbors Not Enemies Act to ensure that immigrant communities aren’t scapegoated in the name of national security.
Know Your Rights | What to Do If ICE Stops You or Comes to Your Home